And into Africa

According to the Highway Africa News Agency, none other than Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, has described the development of voiceover internet protocol as “the engine of telephony in developing countries like Nigeria” and is encouraging serious development of the technology.

Ndukwe made the remarks at the three-day VoIP forum in Lagos this week. In a paper entitled “Regulatory Challenges and Achievements in the VoIP Arena,” Ndukwe said that this recognition gave his commission further encouragement to investigate the Nigerian telecommunications market’s potential. The study was followed by consultations with stakeholders.

Stakeholders imparted to the commission a surefire way to promote VoIP access: Evolve a policy framework that recognizes VoIP issues as an engine for the development of telephony. In his own country, said Ndukwe, “Nigeria welcomes the use of VoIP and encourages telecommunications operators to deploy it where applicable.” Ndukwe referenced Africa’s first-ever VoIP forum, held in Nairobi in 2004. This forum welcomed regulatory changes today introduced in some African nations that seek to liberalize VoIP use.

Ndukwe called on regulators in other African countries to follow the example, thereby stimulating “the growth of networks across the continent.” “There continues to be,” said Ndukwe, “a telephone famine in Africa which VoIP can help to address.”