The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has formally launched a strategic endeavour to connect about 23 million offline Nigerians utilising satellite broadband and satellite-to-phone technology. The body which oversees telecoms in Nigeria has announced plans to use a portion of its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to assist satellite broadband providers.
As Nigeria increases attempts to bridge long-standing connectivity gaps in rural, remote and difficult-to-reach communities and locations where typical terrestrial networks are not economically or geographically feasible, this action is intended to close the digital divide in which program seeks to connect an estimated 23 million offline Nigerians.
During its virtual presentation of the Q4 2025 Industry Performance Report on Wednesday, the Commission revealed the strategy, pointing out that satellite technologies, especially Low Earth Orbit, or LEO, systems, are becoming essential to achieving nationwide connectivity in situations where traditional mobile networks face geographical, financial, and security constraints.
According to senior NCC officials, the commission plans to use the USPF to support connectivity in commercially unfeasible areas, guaranteeing that satellite broadband services stay inexpensive for underserved and rural populations rather than being concentrated in urban areas.
The commission stated that USPF incentives would only be provided in underserved and unserved areas. “We encourage satellite operators to focus on areas where market forces alone cannot deliver affordable services.”
The action coincides with an increasing awareness of Nigeria’s terrestrial broadband expansion’s limitations. The NCC clarified that the physics of spectrum, particularly the mid-band frequencies utilised for 5G, leads to reduced coverage footprints and much higher rollout costs outside of densely populated urban regions, even if 4G and 5G installations are still growing.
On the other hand, satellite broadband, especially LEO systems, provides a supplementary option that eliminates the need for substantial ground infrastructure while providing coverage over distant communities, highways, and challenging terrain.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper just received a landing authorisation from the NCC, which also indicated that it is still in contact with other satellite providers. Consultations on Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, which would enable mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in places without terrestrial network coverage, are also part of these talks.
The regulator claims that the consultations are centred on effective spectrum utilisation, avoiding market distortion, and deciding which satellite services should prioritise statewide coverage or rural deployment.
A federal government project to support universal access to information and communication technology, the Universal Service Provision Fund was created under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) No. 19 of 2003 and is managed by the NCC.
Through partnerships, subsidies, and incentives that assist the development of broadband and telecoms in rural, underserved, and unserved communities, the fund seeks to close Nigeria’s digital divide. In addition to digital inclusion programs like Digital Nigeria Centres, ICT skills training, and efforts aimed at vulnerable populations, its interventions include infrastructure projects like base stations, fibre optics, and community resource centres.
The NCC is framing the USPF as a vital instrument to guarantee that Nigeria’s remaining offline population is not left out of the digital economy by expanding funding for satellite broadband.
Network growth is being hampered by insecurity, vandalism, and fibre cuts, especially in rural areas, according to NCC officials. Telecom infrastructure has been recognised as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) under a presidential directive, with enforcement now ongoing in coordination with security authorities to protect existing assets.
According to the commission, satellite solutions would help close enduring coverage gaps and enhance service continuity across the country when paired with low-band spectrum refarming and more robust infrastructure protection.
Additionally, the NCC cautioned against misinterpreting metrics like small 5G subscriber samples and advised media outlets to rely on official reports and public performance statistics when evaluating coverage and technology uptake. According to officials, as Nigeria works towards its long-term broadband and digital inclusion goals, the commission is still open to clarification and ongoing involvement.
Regulators predict that satellite broadband, supported by targeted public money, could be crucial in connecting Nigeria’s last and hardest-to-reach villages, with data consumption predicted to triple by the end of the decade and subscriptions expected to increase further.
In an effort to rival Starlink and established telecom companies, Amazon’s Project Kuiper has also entered the market.
On January 12, 2026, a consultation paper was published to solicit feedback from stakeholders regarding deployment requirements and spectrum allocation for satellite-to-phone services.
The reason for this, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission, is that 61% of rural households are still disconnected despite the country’s approximately 50% internet penetration. With investment returns usually taking five to ten years, traditional base stations are frequently too costly to install in dispersed settlements. This problem is made worse by the terrain and security issues. For these “blackspots”, satellite services are now thought to be a quicker and more affordable option.
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