Juwah, who made the statement at the Nigeria Broadband Forum in Lagos, added that that the figure could prevent the country from becoming a knowledge-economy through broadband development by 2020.
The forum, which was organised by NCC, was meant to renew the commission’s commitment to broadband penetration in Nigeria.
Juwah said that the commission would make appropriate regulatory intervention to address the present low broadband rate and make access to broadband cheaper and affordable.
He said that the commission was developing a new broadband policy that would foster access to the facility.
He said that the new broadband plan would ensure availability, affordability and accessibility of broadband by those using internet for personal and commercial purposes.
``The present broadband penetration is estimated to be less than 7 per cent and the average broadband penetration in Africa is estimated at about 4 per cent.
``This statistics is worrisome if the country is to be among the knowledge economy by 2020,” he said.
Juwah said that the development of broadband infrastructure across the country would make broadband accessible and affordable to end users.
He said that in Nigeria, there was clear evidence of demand for broadband in many facets of the economy and social life.
Juwah said that the commission would continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation and robust investment in the broadband ecosystem to fast-track its penetration.
The theme of the forum is ``Demand as Catalyst for Broad Band Services in Nigeria
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