A local rather than national approach is needed to effectively roll-out broadband access to more areas in Nigeria, says the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).

In June, the Nigerian Communications Commission unveiled what it described as Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan 2013-2018.

The five-year plan, which was signed off by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, intends to increase broadband penetration by a factor of five by the end of 2017.

A key means to achieve this goal includes what the NCC says is the installation of critical national infrastructure as well as providing incentives to boost national 3G wireless coverage to at least 80% of the population by 2018.

But NIG President, Bayo Banjo, has said that instead of adopting a national approach, the NCC should rather grant frequency spectrum licenses on a zonal basis to interested companies.

"Rather than the practice of allocating frequency nationally, the regulator should look in the way of allocating frequency on a zonal basis," he said in Lagos.

Banjo said that over the years, bids for national roll-outs have allegedly not helped increase the penetration levels of broadband in the country.

He added that zonal frequency allocation is critical if broadband penetration is to be achieved.

“The practice of having a national frequency allocation is not helping the situation. If you allocate zonal frequency and such a frequency is not being put into use, it will be easy for the NCC to revoke it,” he said.

NIG, founded in 1995, is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation, promoting the internet in Nigeria.

To achieve its mandate, the group engages in a number of activities which include policy advocacy, awareness creation and education.