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Telecom

5G First Mile Deployment in Nigeria will be on Satellite – ALTON Boss

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Engr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has said that the 5G in Nigeria will be firstly deployed in satellite before fibre.

5G First Mile Deployment in Nigeria will be on Satellite – ALTON Boss

Engr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON

Adebayo who made the disclosure one-day stakeholders forum organized by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in Lagos noted that the organisation would play a huge role in the deployment of 5G in the country.

Delivering his goodwill message, he said there is possibility that telecom operators will first deploy the Fifth Generation, 5G network on satellite, next year, when the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), may have finished auctioning the new network regime.

He however urged NigComSat to do more awareness about its operations in the country and other parts of Africa.

Adebayo, who recalled that the de-orbiting of the satellite from space in 2008 was not properly managed, said, “because nobody later came out to inform us that the satellite has been replaced. So, I think, the management of NigComSat should do more to educate the public.”

“Satellite operations are key to telecommunications growth in the country, so NIGCOMSAT should be guided  to succeed by every stakeholder.

“For instance, we are talking about 5G, the first mile deployment of the network should be by satellite, the second should be by Fibre so that it will cover the entire country extensively.”

He berated government parastatals and agencies owing NIGCOMSAT, while they pay third party foreign satellites with less reach, describing them as unfair to the growth of satellite communications in the country.

He advised management of NIGCOMSAT to disconnect such agencies without thinking of political correctness.

Releasing the company’s road map at the forum, themed:”NIGCOMSAT, The Present and The Future”, Dr Ambimbola Alale, managing director of NIGCOMSAT, disclosed that the company would launch two satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3, between 2023 and 2025.

Alale said:  “The agency will acquire two more satellites NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3 between now and 2025 with the NigComSat-2 which is a High Throughput Satellite, due for launch in 2023 while NigComSat-3 will be launched in 2025.”

According to her, the launch will not only inspire confidence in the agency’s customers and channel partners but also place NIGCOMSAT Ltd in the front line of communication satellite operators with fleet of satellites in the orbit.

Explaining why the company is attempting such audacious projects, Alale said: “Satellite communications is a technology with rapid changing. In view of this, NIGCOMAT has continued to build capacity that match global trends and requirement”.

Alale also said  that NIGCOMSAT, in its bid to achieve its ambition as the leading satellite communications Solutions provider in Nigeria and Africa, obtained approval early 2020 to form two subsidiary companies (SUBCOs) the Satellite Infrastructure Company SIC to provide satellite upstreams Services such as Transponder leasing, and In-Orbit-(IOT) services, Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) services & the Satellite Broadcasting and Broadband Company (SBBC) to provide satellite downstream services such as broadband internet services, Broadcasting (DTH) services among others.

“The SUBCOs were formed to carryout commercial businesses on behalf of NIGCOMSAT with strategic partners and expand its business operations and in the information & communications technology space, NIGCOMSAT realizes the need to strategically position its subsidiaries for potential opportunities and risks, put in place operational structures to facilitate its business aspirations”.


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Telecom

NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have teamed up to develop an initiative that will reduce the $350 million annual spending on diesel by telecom operators in Nigeria.

NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

According to a press statement  by Nnenna Ukoha, acting had of Public Affairs, NCC, this collaboration will focus on deploying renewable energy solutions to support telecom infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

To that end, the two agencies have inaugurated what they called NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, aimed at deploying renewable energy solutions to power telecom infrastructure across the country.

According to the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025 by the Africa Finance Corporation, telecom operators in Nigeria consume more than 40 million litres of diesel every month, costing them over $350 million annually.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission has formally inaugurated the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, marking a pivotal step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital and energy inclusion objectives by developing modalities for the deployment of renewable energy to support telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.”

The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, NCC.

Maida was joined by Abba Aliyu, managing director of the REA, along with senior executives and committee members from both organisations.

Speaking at the event, Maida described the collaboration as a timely and strategic alignment of national priorities.

He noted that bridging the connectivity and power gaps in rural areas remains critical for Nigeria’s growth and development.

He highlighted that the demand for digital services and connected communities creates an opportunity for renewable energy to play a crucial role.

Maida further emphasised that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure; it is aimed at driving inclusion, reducing inequalities, and fostering shared prosperity.

“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people.

“This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities and creating the conditions for shared prosperity,” he was quoted in the statement.

He also noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy and digital transformation.

Aliyu, representing REA, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the collaboration.

“This partnership will unlock sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians, especially those in areas lacking traditional infrastructure,” he said.

He further emphasised that the collaboration would address both energy and connectivity gaps, benefiting those who are currently underserved.

The newly established NCC-REA Collaboration Committee will work to co-develop and implement integrated solutions that leverage renewable energy to power telecom sites.

The statement noted that the committee will also focus on sharing geospatial data to improve planning, aligning funding frameworks, and tracking the socio-economic impact of the project through clear performance indicators.

 


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Telecom

NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the execution of a national roaming agreement with Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), a move that signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.

NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory authority, has approved the three-year deal, which allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.

The agreement, effective immediately, will significantly enhance connectivity and user experience for 9Mobile customers, particularly in areas where its network coverage is limited.

By leveraging MTN’s expansive infrastructure, 9Mobile can now offer improved service reach and reliability, without duplicating capital-intensive investments in network deployment.

In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public, MTN Nigeria described the arrangement as a strategic collaboration that underscores its leadership in fostering innovation, industry cooperation, and operational efficiency.

The company emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCC’s broader objective of promoting infrastructure sharing to improve telecommunications services nationwide.

“This agreement represents a significant step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria.

“Delivering the scale required for telecommunications services in Nigeria requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and long-term investors. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we collaborate, and we are delighted to announce it today after months of groundwork.”The national roaming deal enables subscribers from 9Mobile to access voice and data services through MTN’s network in areas where the former lacks adequate coverage.

This marks the first such large-scale, cross-network roaming arrangement between two major operators in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts in the telecom industry.

MTN Nigeria highlighted that the agreement contributes to more effective use of telecommunications resources, reduces infrastructure duplication, and accelerates the expansion of mobile broadband access across underserved regions.

It also supports both operators’ sustainability objectives by maximizing existing investments and reducing the environmental impact of deploying overlapping network facilities.

“This strategic collaboration is yet another first in the country by MTN Nigeria and marks a significant milestone for the sustainability of the telecommunications industry,” the company stated.

“By enabling national roaming, MTN Nigeria is contributing to a more effective use of telecommunications resources and accelerating efforts to expand connectivity across the country.”

The agreement is expected to benefit not just subscribers and operators but also regulators and investors who have consistently advocated for policies that promote shared infrastructure and efficient capital utilization in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Uto Ukpanah,  company secretary, MTN Nigeria, affirmed the company’s ongoing dedication to initiatives that create shared value.

“MTN remains committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders while promoting digital and financial inclusion nationwide,” she noted.

With the successful rollout of this agreement, the telecoms industry is expected to see improved service delivery and expanded access to quality mobile services, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. The collaboration sets a benchmark for future inter-operator partnerships and reinforces the importance of regulatory support in advancing national connectivity goals.

 

 

 

 


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Don’t Visit Telecom Centers for Now — ALTON Warns of SIM Service Downtime

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption in SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.

The disruption, according to a statement on Wednesday, follows a directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a new identity verification platform.

ALTON said the transition had triggered unforeseen technical challenges, affecting services such as SIM registration, replacement, and mobile number portability.

“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted service delivery,” the association stated.

It added that MNOs would not be able to support SIM swaps, new activations, and related services until the issues are resolved.

ALTON noted that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to restore normalcy.

The association appealed for public understanding and urged subscribers to delay visits to service centers for SIM-related matters.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to provide timely updates,” the statement read.

ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.


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