This paper makes the case for a National Software and Broadband Policy in support of the recently published draft National ICT Policy of January 2012 by the Ministry of Communications Technology's Ministerial Committee on ICT Policy Harmonization which includes in its objectives, "To encourage the development of Broadband services that will enable Nigerians enjoy the benefits of globalization and convergence".

Specifically, the paper builds on the Broadband Section of the policy which states that "It is widely acknowledged that broadband infrastructure is an enabler for economic and social growth in the digital economy.

Therefore as part of the universal service obligation, broadband access shall be made universally available to all citizens." This section of the policy sets the National Broadband objectives as - To accelerate the penetration of affordable broadband Internet in the country and - to foster broadband usage for national development.

The strategies put forward for achieving these objectives are that the Government shall:

1. Provide periodic review of the broadband penetration targets in order to determine further action for broadband expansion;
   
   
2. Promote both supply- and demand-side policies that create incentives for broadband backbone and access network deployment;
   
   
3. Facilitate broadband development and deployment, leveraging on existing universal service frameworks;
   
   
4. Provide special incentives to operators to encourage them to increase their investment in broadband rollout;
   
   
5. Promote e-Government and other e-services that would foster broadband usages.

(Source: allAfrica)
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