The Nigerian Communications Commission has said that the convergence of Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) and infrastructure deployment would mark a new era in technological advancement adding that it is a paradigm that not only fosters innovation and growth but also democratises access to cutting edge solutions for businesses of all sizes.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who disclosed the above at the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 3.0), as the country embrace this transformative concept, leveraging infrastructure deployment to drive TaaS, it will propel it into a future where technological barriers are minimised, and possibilities are limitless.
Maida, who was represented by Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs (NCC), explained that the emergence of TaaS stands as a beacon of innovation, providing businesses with the tools to adapt, grow, and thrive in the ever-evolving dynamic environment.
He said that through infrastructure deployment within the TaaS model, businesses have the power to access and utilise cutting-edge technology, catering to their needs without the shackles of long-term commitments or heavy investments.
“At the heart of the five pillars of the Strategic Blueprint of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is Infrastructure. The role of critical infrastructure in enabling TaaS cannot be overemphasised; it is thus the goal of the Commission to boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70% by the end of 2023 through the laying of 95,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country.
“In a similar vein, and in line with the vision of the Ministry, we are targeting the provision of coverage for at least 80% of the country’s population, especially the underserved and unserved populations by the end of 2027,” Maida said.
The EVC noted that by leveraging scalable and efficient infrastructure, organisations can harness cloud solutions, edge computing, and other advanced technologies, adding that the dynamic nature of infrastructure deployment ensures that businesses have the right tools at the right time without the constraints of physical infrastructure.
He stressed that the cornerstone of TaaS lies in its ability to revolutionise how technology deployment is approached, emphasising that traditionally, organisations would grapple with the complexities of infrastructure ownership and management, which is often a costly and inflexible endeavour.
“However, through infrastructure deployment within the TaaS framework, there is a paradigm shift where the burden of infrastructure ownership is alleviated, and the focus is shifted to accessibility, scalability, and service-oriented solutions.”
While noting that the significance of TaaS is underpinned by infrastructure deployment, the NCC helmsman remarked that this marks a fundamental change in how businesses consume technology.
“It enables on-demand access to a vast array of technological resources and services, providing the flexibility to scale resources according to immediate needs, without the constraints of traditional ownership models. It is about unlocking the power of technology without being encumbered by the weight of infrastructure maintenance and management.
“This innovative approach carries with it a multitude of benefits. Firstly, it diminishes the financial burden by transforming capital expenditures into operational costs. This allows businesses to redirect resources to innovation and growth rather than fixed infrastructure expenses.”
“Secondly, it offers unparalleled agility, enabling organisations to pivot, expand, or contract rapidly in response to market demands. Moreover, Infrastructure Deployment within TaaS ensures that the latest technologies and updates are readily available, eliminating the overhead of constant maintenance and upgrades,” Maida stated
