Executive Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Bashiru Gwandu, last week at a one day seminar organised by Nokia Siemens network in Lagos, challenged operators on the need to connect the rural Nigerian populace.

Gwandu told Nokia Siemens that there were the challenges of connecting Nigeria and the One Nigeria Project, assuring the network that the Commission hopes to partner with other key players in the industry to introduce Wireless connectivity in rural Nigeria.

The event was hosted by Nokia Siemens Networks, focused mainly on connecting Nigeria through its wide array of products specifically designed for emerging market. Topics at the seminar included: Telephony services for all Nigerians; Reducing the cost of ownership, Meeting the power challenge in Nigeria and Broadband access and Connecting Businesses.

According to Country Director, Nokia Siemens Network, Mr. Mladen Risticevic, "this industry seminar, the first of its series in Nigeria is meant to bring together key stakeholders in the communications industry to discuss the future and shed light on how to grow connectivity and revenues. It will also address challenges in the Nigerian telecom market and shared best practices from other similar markets.

"The one day seminar is one of the several ways in which Nokia Siemens Networks is advancing its footprint and operations in Nigeria. As one of the top three telecommunications infrastructure providers globally, Nokia Siemens Networks provides deep local presence and know-how with the global reach and international support" he added.

Also, Shahzad Abid, Head of Marketing for Middle East and Africa region, Nokia Siemens Networks said added that "conducting Industry Seminars around the region is an innovative approach developed by Nokia Siemens Networks to create an open communication between industry players, and encourage constructive dialogue on topics of common interest for all stakeholders.

"We have held similar successful industry seminars in Ethiopia, Morocco, Levant region and Pakistan, and Nokia Siemens Networks will extend this forum for industry dialogue to more countries in the Middle East & Africa region" he promised.

Key telecoms operators like Zain and MTN have begun infrastructure sharing and so far, about 300 base stations are being shared and there is hope that other industry players would do the same in the near future, he concluded.

In the key emerging markets region like Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda among others, Nokia Siemens Networks is also introducing Village Connection Solution.