The global drive for Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a solution provider makes more meaning to humanity than sheer profit maximization in a new era of human advancement, says the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida.
According to him, Technology-as-a-Service mindset projected towards infrastructure deployment marks a new era in technological innovation capable of liberalizing commerce, stimulating growth and catalyzing real time human progress of all-round proportion.
He further argued that the emergence of Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) stood as a beacon of innovation, providing human enterprises with the critical tools to adapt, grow, and thrive in the ever-changing dynamic world.
Dr. Aminu Maida who described this convergence as a paradigm that not only fosters innovation and growth but also democratizes access to cutting-edge solutions for businesses of all sizes and shapes, urged service providers to embrace ICT’s transformative concept.
The NCC boss made the observation recently in a keynote address at the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 3.0) which was held at Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja in Lagos. He contended that there was need for service providers to leverage on infrastructure deployment to drive Technology-as-a-Service, saying it would propel the country into a future where technological barriers were minimized and limitless possibilities unleashed.
Represented by Director, Public Affairs at the NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, Maida said that through infrastructure deployment within the TaaS model, businesses would access and utilize 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 overemphasized; 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 further stated that the deployment of infrastructure formed the backbone of TaaS, noting that by leveraging on scalable and efficient infrastructure, organizations could harness cloud solutions, edge computing, and other advanced technologies, adding that the dynamic nature of infrastructure deployment ensured that businesses had the right tools at the right time without the constraints of physical infrastructure.
He stressed that the cornerstone of TaaS lay in its ability to revolutionize technology deployment, 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 marked 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.
