Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
- Abubakar Abdulsalam
- Ahmed Atere
- Israel Baiye
- Paulinus Okechukwu UGWOKE
- Ghazi Mabrouk
- Angel Draev
Intermediate
Event organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This intermediate course is tailored to equip national regulators, policymakers, and professionals with strategic insights into fiber optic infrastructure deployment. Emphasis is placed on regulatory frameworks, national broadband strategy alignment, infrastructure sharing, and stakeholder engagement critical for fostering public-private partnerships. Participants will also explore advanced compliance monitoring and policy development techniques to support sustainable broadband expansion.
With the generous support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, participation in this training is provided free of charge for selected applicants. This includes accommodation, meals, training and extracurricular activities. Participants or their organizations are responsible for covering their travel expenses to Abuja, Nigeria, and if necessary, visa application costs.
The training is aimed at the following professionals:
- National telecommunications regulators and policymakers
- Project managers overseeing strategic broadband initiatives
- Legal and compliance officers in telecommunications
- Network planners and infrastructure designers
- Stakeholders involved in broadband policy formulation and stakeholder engagement
The maximum number of participants is limited to 30.
Prospective participants are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of three years of experience in fiber optics, telecommunications regulation, or project management.
- Possess a fluent level of English.
- Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV, a recommendation letter from their employer, or a motivation letter.
Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.
Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire and the recommendation/motivation letter of each applicant.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the strategic planning and execution of national fiber infrastructure projects.
- Analyze methods and best practices for infrastructure sharing.
- Develop policies and frameworks supporting fiber deployment.
- Evaluate the alignment of broadband strategies with regulatory objectives.
- Implement compliance monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and policy development initiatives.
The 5-day course will follow adult learning principles, using active methods such as hands-on practice, real-world case studies, group discussions, and interactive exercises.
Key features include:
- Instructor-led sessions with face-to-face activities and breakout discussions
- Daily quizzes and end-of-course individual/group assignments
- Use of the ITU Academy platform for materials, assessments, and resources
- Instructors will facilitate learning and provide personalized feedback.
Participants are assessed based on attendance, class contributions, and engagement in practical sessions.
Evaluation breakdown:
- Quizzes: 10%
- Individual assignment: 40%
- Group assignment: 40%
- Participation: 10%
A minimum score of 70% is required to earn the ITU course completion certificate.
Day 1: Strategic Overview and National Broadband Strategy
Session 1: Strategic Overview of Fiber Deployment
- Topics: Introduction to fiber optics, historical evolution, key project stages (planning, design, implementation, maintenance).
- Key Learning Points: Explain fiber’s role in telecom, outline project stages.
Session 2: Strategic Overview of Fiber Deployment (cont.)
- Topics: Global trends (adoption, advancements), challenges (cost, scalability), opportunities (smart cities, IoT, 5G).
- Key Learning Points: Analyze trends, identify challenges/opportunities, describe fiber’s role in broadband goals.
Session 3: Strategy
- Topics: National broadband goals, fiber’s role, government initiatives, case studies (South Korea, Singapore), impact measurement, stakeholder roles.
- Key Learning Points: Evaluate initiatives, analyze case studies, outline stakeholder roles.
Day 2: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Session 1: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
- Topics: Telecom regulations, licensing/permits, rights of way, land access challenges.
- Key Learning Points: Compare regulations, describe licensing process, propose land access solutions.
Session 2: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks (cont.)
- Topics: Environmental regulations, safety regulations, international standards (ITU, IEEE).
- Key Learning Points: Explain environmental/safety regulations, apply standards.
Session 3: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks (cont.)
- Topics: Intellectual property, data privacy, regulatory challenges, role of regulatory bodies.
- Key Learning Points: Address IP/privacy concerns, evaluate case studies, describe regulatory roles.
Day 3: Infrastructure Sharing and Policy Development
Session 1: Infrastructure Sharing
- Topics: Sharing concepts, types (passive, active), benefits (cost, speed).
- Key Learning Points: Define sharing types, identify benefits/challenges.
Session 2: Infrastructure Sharing (cont.)
- Topics: Challenges (coordination, maintenance), policy frameworks, collaboration models.
- Key Learning Points: Analyze policy frameworks, describe collaboration models.
Session 3: Infrastructure Sharing (cont.)
- Topics: Policies for equitable access, case studies, tools for agreements, role in smart cities.
- Key Learning Points: Develop equitable access policy, evaluate case studies, use agreement tools, explain smart city role.
Day 4: Compliance Monitoring and Risk Management
Session 1: Compliance and Risk Management
- Topics: KPIs for compliance, risk identification (technical, financial, operational).
- Key Learning Points: Describe monitoring frameworks, apply KPIs, identify risks.
Session 2: Risk Management (cont.)
- Topics: Risk assessment (qualitative, quantitative), mitigation strategies.
- Key Learning Points: Assess risks, develop mitigation strategies.
Session 3: Risk Management (cont.)
- Topics: Compliance/risk tools, case studies, response controls, documentation, smart city integration.
- Key Learning Points: Use monitoring tools, analyze case studies, develop controls, create documentation, explain smart city integration.
Day 5: Stakeholder Engagement and Public-Private Partnerships
Session 1: Stakeholder Engagement
- Topics: Stakeholder identification, engagement strategies (communication, feedback).
- Key Learning Points: Identify/prioritize stakeholders, develop engagement strategies.
Session 2: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Topics: Role of PPPs (funding, implementation), case studies, communication/collaboration techniques.
- Key Learning Points: Explain PPP roles, analyze case studies, apply communication techniques.
Session 3: End of Course
- Key Learning Points: Presentation of individual and group assignments.
Financial support available
ITU will cover training content, accommodation for 6 nights, meals and training activities.
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.