{
  "id": 1381456,
  "title": "Telcos owe 25-year growth to workers’ sacrifice — ATCON",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon-1381456",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T00:34:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has highlighted the crucial role of workers in Nigeria's telecommunications growth over the past 25 years. President Tony Emoekpere emphasized that the industry's expansion, including infrastructure milestones like fibre routes and network coverage, owes much to the dedication of technicians, engineers, and field professionals. Nigeria's telecom sector liberalization in 2001 paved the way for private operators and a surge in mobile connectivity. The transformation has resulted in a nationwide digital infrastructure supporting mobile communications, broadband, data services, and a growing digital economy. ATCON estimates that over $75 billion has been invested in the sector since liberalization. Emoekpere acknowledged that despite the demanding conditions and risks, field workers continue to maintain and expand the network. As Nigeria enters a new phase of telecom development, the president stressed the importance of recognizing and supporting the workforce that keeps the country connected. The industry is now moving towards smartphones, broadband, fibre networks, cloud services, and 5G connectivity.",
  "summary": "ATCON acknowledges the immense sacrifice of telecoms workers in Nigeria, whose dedication over 25 years built the nation’s robust digital infrastructure. Read More: https://punchng.com/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Telcos owe 25-year growth to workers’ sacrifice — ATCON",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/telcos-owe-25-year-growth-to-workers-sacrifice-atcon",
        "published": "2026-08-17T00:26:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}