Amidst advancement in telecommunication technology ranging from countries to countries, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has revealed its plan to launch Nigeria’s second satellite NigComSat 2 into space in 2023. NIGCOMSAT made this known at a stakeholder’s inclusion forum held in Lagos, themed ‘NIGCOMSAT: The Roadmap for Enhanced Service Delivery. Also, this announcement came in as the NigComSat1-R, which is currently being used to offer communication services to customers across Nigeria and abroad, gradually inched towards the end of its life span.
NigComSat1-R, which was reportedly launched into space in 2011 has a lifespan of 15 years that runs till 2026. With the launch of the country’s second satellite into space, NIGCOMSAT assured the citizens of a faster, wider coverage, and better deployment of 5G network across the country in 2023. Dr. Abimbola Alale, NIGCOMSAT managing director, asserts that the country has already begun the bidding process to choose a suitable company that will assume the responsibility of building and launching NigComSat 2.
NCC set to auction additional two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum.
Dr. Alale further stated that as stakeholders seek partnership, the organization will receive support from the stakeholders’ forum noting that both bodies share common goals and objectives and are key players in the development of the industry. Fiber and satellite technology operators are projected to partner. MTN has become the first telecommunication service provider that has launched 5G in Nigeria, with its achievement of two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum for 5G rollout auctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2021.
Furtherly, NCC is set to auction yet additional two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum in December this year. Stakeholders present at the NIGCOMSAT organized forum explains that there is a need for satellite infrastructures to enhance network coverage considering the fact that there are areas and regions in Nigeria where fiber cannot reach. In addition, the forum highlighted three different ways in which telecommunication network service can be deployed which are microwave, fiber, and satellite. Of the mentioned options, satellite is viewed as a viable option to reach the underserved areas given that a speedy network like 5G relies mostly on fiber infrastructure, which is said to be limited in reaching out.
Satellite is crucial to the achievement of 5G across the country.
In the same vein, Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), reiterates on the challenges facing fiber infrastructure. He stated that in 2021, over 40,000 fibers were cut. Majority of these cuts were said to have been caused by construction activities such as railways, roads, houses, fire incidents and vandalism. Although satellite deployment has been said to be way more costly for services operators to adopt, Adebayo still believes that satellite is crucial for the advancement of the 5G network which has been lacking behind the schedule.
However, considering the recent advancement seen in the satellite industry, Orjinta Anthony Emeka, Deputy General Manager of Satellite Control and Operation, NIGCOMSAT, explains that cost may no longer pose a constraint. He added that in evolution with other telecom infrastructure, satellite deployment is at par with fiber infrastructure. Furthermore, Adeola Ogundele, Technical Director of Crystalfix Nigeria Limited, has urged the government to foster digital inclusion in the country by investing more in satellite infrastructure advancement.
The federal government aims for 70% broadband by 2025.
According to a report by NCC, 30 million people still lack access to the Internet due to infrastructural deficits. As of July, Nigeria’s broadband penetration reached 44.5%. The Federal Government aims to achieve 70% broadband by 2025, which it has taken steps forward with the approvement of an enterprises licensing agreement for Microsoft Products to reduce (IT) costs in public institutions. Ultimately, NIGCOMSAT affirms to provide broadband services to people across the country, the organization will continue to work with other technology providers.
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The telecommunication are really soaring high launching the second satellite into space in 2023 for benefits of the citizenry inorder to use 5g network for a better network.
NIGCOMSAT has been ineffective after some years of launching it to the space because the people that incharge or management are mostly corrupt and this has made the organisation to be dormant since but with the launching of the second one maybe things will change and citizens can benefit by using 5G network.
I hope Nigcomsat will do a better job. The network has been torrent for some time now. It has been so horrible. It isn’t helping one to maximize and do their work efficiently. I believe things will change for the better through NIGCOMSAT.
This news arrived and is being put to use in providing communication services to people all around Nigeria right now and thats nice
After being launched into space for a number of years, Nigeria’s National Government Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) has shown to be inefficient due to the widespread corruption among those in control.
Nigcomsat should improve. The network is torrenting. It’s awful. It doesn’t maximize and streamline work. I think NIGCOMSAT will help.
It’s great that the NIGCOMSAT has announced plans to launch Nigeria’s second satellite, NigComSat 2, , given the breakthroughs in telecommunication technology being made by various nations.
It is very encouraging to learn that the nation has already started the process of soliciting bids from interested businesses in order to select the organization that will be entrusted with the responsibility of constructing and launching NigComSat 2.
Since a fast network like 5G depends mostly on fiber infrastructure, which is thought to be restricted in its reach, satellite is seen as a possible solution to reach the underserved areas.
NIGCOMSAT has stated that it will continue to collaborate with other technology providers in order to fulfill its mission of offering broadband services to residents of the entire country.
Satellite is viewed as a potential solution to reach the underserved areas because a fast network like 5G depends mostly on fiber infrastructure, which is thought to be limited in its reach.
Everyone ought to put pressure on the government to expand digital access across the country by increasing funding for research and development of satellite infrastructure.
Despite the fact that service providers may have to spend significantly more on satellite deployment to bring it into use, satellite is essential to the development of the 5G network, which has fallen behind schedule.
NIGCOMSAT promised the populace that the country’s 5G network would be deployed faster, wider, and better in 2023 with the placement of the nation’s second satellite into orbit.
The torrenting on the network has been going on for quite some time. Such a terrible time has passed. There is no improvement in productivity or effectiveness. Probably NIGCOMSAT will bring about positive change.
The forum assured Nigerians better deployment of the 5G network in 2023. Any project that will improve out telecommunication system is welcome
The creation of 5G will be improvement in telecommunications and make things fast and easier I urge is deploy on time so we can start enjoying the usefulness
It’s great NIGCOMSAT announced plans to launch Nigeria’s second satellite. I believe things will change for the better through NIGCOMSAT.
NIGCOMSAT assured Nigeria of a better network coverage of 5g 2023. Let us be hopeful that it will be a reality.
The NCC plans to auction off two more 3.5GHz frequency slots. Given that there are regions and locations in Nigeria that fiber cannot reach, stakeholders present at the NIGCOMSAT-organized meeting emphasize the need for satellite infrastructures to improve network coverage.
Nigeria need to measure up to the standard of the world. The introduction of 5G network in Nigeria by NIGCOMSAT will be of great benefits to us.