The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) has signalled a significant coverage shift towards satellite-powered cell connectivity because it pushes Direct-to-Gadget (D2D) satellite tv for pc service as a key know-how for increasing protection between 2025 and 2030.
That is a part of the draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) revealed by the Fee.
The coverage route comes simply weeks after Airtel Africa introduced a strategic settlement with SpaceX to ship Starlink-powered direct-to-cell providers in Nigeria and different Airtel working markets.
The NCC’s roadmap positions non-terrestrial networks as a important complement to conventional cell infrastructure, significantly in a rustic the place thousands and thousands stay underserved by terrestrial networks attributable to geography, safety challenges, and excessive deployment prices.
In keeping with the NCC, Direct-to-Gadget (D2D) satellite tv for pc providers are rising globally as a viable option to ship voice and knowledge providers immediately to plain cell handsets with out the necessity for ground-based towers.
“In Nigeria, D2D connectivity might play a transformative function by extending voice and knowledge protection to sign blackspots, huge rural, riverine, and border communities at the moment past the attain of cell towers,” the Fee said.
“It could additionally strengthen community resilience—serving as a fallback throughout fibre cuts, energy outages, or emergencies that disrupt terrestrial networks,” it added.
The NCC’s roadmap additionally locations robust emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites as a instrument for bridging Nigeria’s broadband hole.
In keeping with the doc, LEO satellites are anticipated to ship high-speed web to a few of the nation’s most distant areas, reaching thousands and thousands of Nigerians who at the moment lack dependable connectivity.
Along with LEO techniques reminiscent of Starlink, the Fee says it plans to optimize the usage of Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites and discover rising high-altitude platforms, together with stratospheric balloons.
These applied sciences are anticipated to help cell backhaul options and prolong broadband entry to rural and hard-to-reach areas the place laying fibre or constructing towers is uneconomical.
Nigeria has one of many largest unconnected populations on the earth, with rural broadband penetration nonetheless lagging behind that of city areas, regardless of years of funding in fibre and cell infrastructure.
Nairametrics not too long ago reported that Airtel Africa signed a landmark settlement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink direct-to-cell providers throughout a number of African international locations, together with Nigeria.
Nigeria already hosts licensed satellite tv for pc broadband operators, with Starlink’s presence increasing competitors within the broadband market.
The NCC’s Spectrum Roadmap (2025–2030) is anticipated to information future spectrum auctions, licensing frameworks, and know-how adoption throughout the telecoms sector.
Analysts anticipate elevated collaboration between MNOs and satellite tv for pc companies as Nigeria pushes towards its nationwide broadband and digital financial system targets.
