Open Access Metro, launched in 2024 as part of the WIOCC group, leverages existing metro, national, and subsea networks to provide end-to-end infrastructure solutions. McLoughlin explained that the model allows ISPs to focus solely on sales and marketing, without investing in costly infrastructure or IP transit. By removing financial and operational barriers, the company stimulates competition and accelerates service delivery.
Rapid Deployment and Early SuccessIn its first year, Open Access Metro connected over 100,000 homes in Lagos, Nigeria, with its metro network already passing 3 million properties. McLoughlin emphasized that fully buried, ducted fiber ensures high-quality, future-proof infrastructure. Termination boxes are installed on the outside of properties, allowing ISPs to deliver services in days with minimal additional installation.
Pan-African ExpansionWhile the initial focus has been Lagos, Open Access Metro plans to expand into Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other Nigerian cities. The company is also conducting trials in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with longer-term ambitions to enter Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi, and other markets. McLoughlin outlined a five-year horizon aiming to connect 1.5 to 2 million homes.
