Telecommunications companies (telcos) consistently avoid expanding services to rural regions, prioritising urban centers where profitability is assured, according to industry experts.
This trend exacerbates the digital divide, leaving rural communities without reliable connectivity and deepening socioeconomic inequalities.
Dr. Tola Yusuf, Co-founder of infrastructure solutions firm, Infratel Africa, emphasised that investment decisions in the telecom sector are driven by financial viability.
“Investment naturally flows where returns are guaranteed,” he stated, adding that “rural areas, with sparse populations, challenging terrain, and limited existing infrastructure, present high costs and uncertain revenue streams for operators.”
According to him, deploying telecoms infrastructure in rural zones involves significant hurdles, stating that low population density reduces potential subscriber bases, making it difficult for companies to recoup investments.
Read more at Newtelegraphng
This trend exacerbates the digital divide, leaving rural communities without reliable connectivity and deepening socioeconomic inequalities.
Dr. Tola Yusuf, Co-founder of infrastructure solutions firm, Infratel Africa, emphasised that investment decisions in the telecom sector are driven by financial viability.
“Investment naturally flows where returns are guaranteed,” he stated, adding that “rural areas, with sparse populations, challenging terrain, and limited existing infrastructure, present high costs and uncertain revenue streams for operators.”
According to him, deploying telecoms infrastructure in rural zones involves significant hurdles, stating that low population density reduces potential subscriber bases, making it difficult for companies to recoup investments.
Read more at Newtelegraphng