MTN To Build N1 Billion Cable Duct Infrastructure in Calabar

The Cross River State Government has signed an agreement with MTN Nigeria to provide 115km of telecommunications cable duct infrastructure for Calabar, from Tinapa to Anantigha. The project, when completed in six to nine months, would provide complete access to broadband infrastructure for all residents of Calabar making it the most wired city in Nigeria in terms of coverage. The project is also completely privately-funded and will cost approximately N1.1 billion to implement. The infrastructure to be installed include three telecommunication cable ducts and 96 core fibre optic cables for each partner and managed by both the state government and MTN. The infrastructure would enable other service providers and network/ broadband users to approach either party to lease infrastructure or services. In addition to this infrastructure, MTN would site an additional 99 base stations to improve wireless services in the State in 2013 and similar numbers in 2014 and 2015. It would also support the development of various third party services enabled by broadband such as city-wide wifi, access to various government services, e-ticketing, smart transport, smart education, smart health, e-tourism and ultimately the creation of Nigeria’s first smart city.