Nigeria: Viasat obtained several telecom licenses to provide high-speed Internet
May 18th 2021
The satellite connectivity segment is steadily growing in value in Nigeria. The need for broadband, more and more expressed by populations, especially rural ones, who have discovered the advantages of the Internet is at the origin of this. As new telecom companies express the desire to respond, a great battle is brewing.
The American communications company Viasat Inc. announced, Tuesday, May 18, the obtaining of a series of telecom licenses from the Communications Commission of Nigeria (NCC). This is an Internet service provider license; a Vsat license; three licenses for earth stations in motion (ESIM), satellite stations that communicate with geostationary satellite systems in the fixed service. With these operating titles in the Ka band 28 GHz spectrum, Viasat intends to provide very high speed Internet across the entire Nigerian territory.
“ We are proud to work with the NCC and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to help the Nigerian government achieve its broadband goals to improve the quality of life for its citizens. We believe our proven satellite Internet solution will bring cost-effective Internet services to Nigerian cities where large gaps exist between demand and the accessibility and availability of Internet services , ”said Rick Baldridge, President and CEO of Viasat Inc .
Viasat is joining the fray in Nigeria where the battle in the segment of satellite connectivity has gradually become fierce since last year, driven by the demand for broadband which is exploding particularly in rural areas long poorly covered by telecom operators. While many renowned companies such as Eutelsat, SES, Intelsat, Inmarsat are already head to head, new players are also pointing the tip of their nose like the American SpaceX which is negotiating a license as a supplier of service with the telecoms regulator.
With its license suite, Viasat Inc. wants to set itself apart from its competitors by targeting both the mobile and fixed segments. The company has planned an experimentation program that will target five unserved Nigerian communities housing a total of around 15,000 people. The test will allow the company to better configure its equipment before extending its services to the whole country. Rick Baldridge said Viasat “will go a long way in breaking down barriers to digital and social inclusion across Nigeria “.
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