Stakeholders in the ICT industry and Ministries Agencies and departments under the federal government have gathered in Lagos to give feed back and rub minds on how best to improve the direct and supporting services being rendered by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited. NIgComSat.
Thevl stakeholders acknowledged that in a bid to provide an advance satellite communication solution in Nigeria, NIGCOMSAT’s modest contributions to the nation’s digital economy service infrastructure cannot be overemphasized
Addressing the forum, the Managing Director of NigComSat Dr Abimbola Alale who emphasized role of satelite Communications in digital economy said the forum was aimed at getting feedback from customers on what NIgComSat can do to serve them better.
The stakeholders Engagement forum with the theme NIgComSat: The present and The future was targeted to be a feedback mechanism.
The defence ministry particularly the army was not left out as satellites provide services for disaster risk management and emergency response including weather forecasting, remote sensing, geo-positioning, navigation, television and telecommunication.
Dr Alale who said the plans to acquire more satellites between now and 2025 with the NigComSat-2 (Hight Throughput Satellite) due for launch in 2023 while NigComSat-3 will be launched in 2025 also added that NIgComSat staff have attended both local and international trainings and are ready to render supporting services particularly in remote areas of the country when 5G is deployed.
Dr Alale, highlighted NIGCOMSAT recent activities, including actions taken to reposition the company for better service delivery, training of 600 youth in 12 states of the federation on VSAT and TVRO installations skills; establishment of 2 subsidiary companies-the Satellite Infrastructure Company (SIC) and the Satellite Broadcasting and Broadband Company (SBBC) to conduct commercial businesses with strategic partners; as well as collaborating with stakeholders to sponsor 4 teams at the international innovation contest, ActInSpace, where Nigeria won the audience award, based on the popularity of a video created by one of the teams.
The MD said that, NIGCOMSAT, in its bid to achieve its ambition as a leading satellite communication solutions provider in Nigeria and Africa, obtained approval early 2020 to form two subsidiary companies (SUBCOs) the Satellite Infrastructure Company SIC to provide satellite upstream services such as Transponder leasing, and In-Orbit-(IOT) services, Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) services etc. & the Satellite Broadcasting and Broadband Company (SBBC) to provide satellite downstream services such as broadband internet services, Broadcasting (DTH) services etc.
“Another milestone achievement according to Alale late last year, September 2020, NIGCOMSAT collaboration with Thales Alenia Space of France, and Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) to provide a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) using NigComSat-1R Navigational services for the first time over Africa and Indian Ocean.
She noted that the demonstration of real SBAS flight in Lome (Togo) using fixed wing Aircraft and Duoala (Cameroun), using Rotor Aircraft. Demonstration was also done in Brazzaville (Congo).
She acknowledged the strategic vision of , the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami towards building a digital Nigeria and repositioning the Departments and Agencies under his supervision, to be among the major contributors to the nation’s economy.
In a message, the Executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, represented by Engineer Oluwatoyin Asaju, director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, they are happy working with NIGCOMSAT for a successful deployment of 5G services in Nigeria.
In a remark, the Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo who emphasized the important role of satelite communications particularly in ensuring the extension of services to remote areas advised NIgComSat to ensure that MDAs pay for various services rendered.
The Company Secretary Alma Okpalefe,, gave an introduction of NIGCOMSAT, its mandate, structure and journey so far; whilst, Mr Abdulraheem Adajah, general manager, Satellite Applications spoke on “Satellite Business New Opportunities/Frontiers (NIGCOMSAT Products and Services).”