Nigeria’s telecom regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted a South-Africa-based telecommunications company, Viasat Inc, a full suite of operating licenses in Nigeria.
The full suite operating licenses are: Internet Service provider (ISP), Three Earth Stations In Motion (ESIM). The ISP license allows Viasat to provide data internet services to users while ESIM, a geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO) system operating in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) ensures high quality internet connectivity to remote Nigerian communities where internet services are non-existent.
Viasat Inc management in a statement through its President and CEO, Rick Baldridge, wrote: “We are proud to be working with the NCC and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to help the Nigerian government achieve their broadband goals to improve the quality of life of its citizens,”
The implication of the double license (ISP and ESIM) of Viasat is that it now has the leverage to within the set 28GHz Ka-band satellite frequency band have a wavelength that is more than a centimeter to 7.5 millimeters. This is a smart move to help connect the largely remote part of Nigeria to the other parts of the world.
The 28GHz Ka-band spectrum has in recent times allowed the satellite broadband to be unarguable the fastest growing satellite communication network and most efficient in connecting the world population, converting it to a global village.
Viasat which has kicked off an internet trial in five Nigerian communities, which is aimed to connect approximately 15,000 people, will be more positioned to expand its satellite-based internet to the continent of Africa with the 28GHz Ka-band spectrum.
It is of note that ViaSat poised to launch in 2022 the ViaSat-3, an ultra-high-capacity global satellite configuration of three communication satellites.
ViaSat CEO, Baldridge had further opined:
“We believe our proven satellite internet solution; will bring cost-effective internet services to Nigerian towns where large gaps exist between demand and the affordability and availability of internet services. We want to thank the NCC for granting us the license framework required, and for preserving 28GHz Ka-band spectrum for satellite-based services that will greatly contribute to breaking down barriers required to achieve digital and social inclusion for all of Nigeria,”
What This Holds For Nigeria And Africa
The implication of ViaSat’s foray into the Nigeria Telecoms market is enormous as according to the Digital 2020 Global Overview report have stated that about 58 % of the Nigerian population is still unconnected to the internet, with many of those in this figure in the rural remote areas.
There is a great chance that other telecommunication companies domiciled in Nigeria would be challenged to improve and upgrade their services as competition allows comparisons, which in turn put contemporaries on their toes to provide better service delivery. It is a win for the populace.
ViaSat CEO preached social inclusion and affirmed the company is set to break down barriers, reach the unconnected lot, while still providing better services to those already connected to other internet providers.
You can imagine the prospect of having the less half remainder of the 200 million Nigerians now having the leverage to join others to be connected to the world!
Increased awareness
A jump sales for internet vendors,
Engaging virtual connections,
Faster Information dissemination
It entails more Nigerians will be better informed, make informed positions, allow business ideas on the internet to reach more people, and of course produce more millionaires and billionaires!
This is a great chance for Nigeria.
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Ayoola Faseyi, an Abuja based Journalist with interest in Technology and Politics. He is a versatile writer with articles in many renowned News Journals.
He is the Co-Founder of media brand, The Vent Republic.
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