The government has invited all local internet companies known as Internet Service Providers, ISPs, and other local network operators, as well as all higher educational institutions in Anambra State, to register with the State ICT Agency.
According to a press statement issued on Monday in Awka by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the agency is looking to deepen its relationship with ISPs and higher institutions, emphasising the critical roles they play in the realisation of Mr Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR’s digitization vision.
The statement explained that ISPs and higher institutions in Anambra State should register as the ICT Agency plans to attract an Internet Exchange Point (IXP), to set up a Point of Presence (PoP) in the state all-geared domestication of Internet traffic and localization of content, which will eventually create a win-win situation for all, including providers and end users.
It also stated that the Agency will work to attract global content players such as Netflix, Google, Meta, and others to host some of their material within the state.
“Overall, we believe that this would allow ISPs, educational institutions, and network operators in the state to access internet bandwidth at a much lower cost,” Agbata added.
He further stated that it has become critical for the State ICT Agency to keep a comprehensive directory of all local internet providers, since the State Government has formed partnerships to ensure that high-speed broadband becomes a reality in Anambra State.
According to the statement, “the Agency understands how strategic the ISPs are to the achievement of Mr Governor’s ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ mantra and is emphatic about the multiple benefits that all registered organisations stand to gain through this collaboration, which include capacity building, knowledge sharing, ability to scale operations, global partnerships, and others.”
