Telecom operators in Nigeria will begin deployment of the Fifth Generation, 5G network on satellite, next year, when the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC, have finished auctioning the new network regime. Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, dropped the hint at a one-day Stakeholders forum organised by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NIGCOMSAT in Lagos.
This is also as the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Dr Ambimbola Alale, disclosed that the company would launch two satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3 between 2023 and 2025. Adebayo while delivering a goodwill message, said “Satellite operations are key to telecommunications growth in the country, so NIGCOMSAT should be guided to succeed by every stakeholder. “For instance, we are talking about 5G, the first mile deployment of the network should be by satellite, the second should be by Fibre so that it will cover the entire country extensively”. He berated government parastatals and agencies owing NIGCOMSAT, while they pay third party foreign satellites with less reach, describing them as not being fair to the growth of satellite communication in the country. He advised management of NIGCOMSAT to disconnect such agencies without thinking of political correctness.
Releasing the company’s road map at the forum, themed:”NIGCOMSAT, The Present and The Future”, Alale said “The agency will acquire two more satellites NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3 between now and 2025 with the NigComSat-2 which is a High Throughput Satellite, due for launch in 2023 while NigComSat-3 will be launched in 2025. According to her, the launch will not only inspire confidence in the Agency’s customers and channel partners but will also place NIGCOMSAT Ltd in the front line of communication satellite operators with fleet of satellites in the orbit. Explaining why the company is attempting such audacious projects, Alale said: “Satellite communications is a technology with rapid changing. In view of this, NIGCOMAT has continued to build capacity that match global trends and requirement”.
Alale also said that NIGCOMSAT, in its bid to achieve its ambition as the leading satellite communications Solutions provider in Nigeria and Africa, obtained approval early 2020 to form two subsidiary companies (SUBCOs) the Satellite Infrastructure Company SIC to provide satellite upstreams Services such as Transponder leasing, and In-Orbit-(IOT) services, Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) services & the Satellite Broadcasting and Broadband Company (SBBC) to provide satellite downstream services such as broadband internet services, Broadcasting (DTH) services among others.
“The SUBCOs were formed to carryout commercial businesses on behalf of NIGCOMSAT with strategic partners and expand its business operations and in the information & communications technology space, NIGCOMSAT realises the need to strategically position its subsidiaries for potential opportunities and risks, put in place operational structures to facilitate its business aspirations”. Continuing, Alale noted that as part of VSAT/TVRO capacity development programme, NIGCOMSAT has trained 600 youths across the six geo-political zones in the country adding that they have been equipped with tools to participate in growing the digital economy timely achievement of NIGCOMSAT’s roles specified in the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.
