Telecom
National Security via Satellite: (3 of 3; Concluding)
By Andrew Aroh
Satellite communications can play an important role in national security.
The role of this technology is better understood today on the front lines in particular where the following prefer to have robust and redundant communication links close at hand:
- Law enforcement personnel
- Incident commanders
- First responders
The committee on national security has many priorities but need to begin to examine the role that Satellite technology plays in our economy and Security.
The question is:
Has the National Security Team and its affiliated agencies already use satellite technology and commercial satcom for a range of national security related mission?
The answers are:
- An approach that is more focused and coordinated across agencies and authorities would allow a better and more cost-effect use of satellite across the national security establishment.
- The government should create a forum where its needs and the private sector’s capabilities can be examined on a regular basis.
- Lately, the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) has became n enthusiastic use of satellite communications.
- In NEMA’s disaster field office operations, Satellite based voice, data and video-including full motion video-can be uplink to remote offices in effect matching a fixed facility NEMA office.
- NEMA is familiar with the cospa-sarsat for voice services and a data only satellite capability is available with virtual private Network tunneling, but this system is very limited in terms of bandwidth and does not provide digitized voice or video.
- NEMA needs to upgrade its communication facilities:
MERS:
This is a Mobile Emergency response support involving transportable C-/Ku/Ka-band system in additional to NEMA’s vehicle mounted systems.
This system allows us the flexibility of supporting more independent locations simultaneously, and greatly reduces response time to distant locations due to the ease of air transport versus driving.
NEMA needs to provide L-band capabilities to its earth stations for up to date requirements.
NEMA needs to acquire several DBS system that will be used to provide network connectivity to co-located disaster support staff other than NEMA, including state and local government personnel along with the support staff from other agencies such as the Environmental protection Agency.
An independent body once conducted a lengthy assessment of the nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the possible use of satellite technology emerged as a key component in the list of recommendations. This recommendation has come about because satellite technology:
- Can be used to deliver an EAS message very quickly (within seconds).
- Is very reliable
- Has available high levels of security.
- Does not have the geographical limitations of today’s EAS system.
Satellite delivery of EAS alerts will be the preferred delivery methods within the next few years. What measures are necessary to provide the required facilities?
Satellite facilities currently exist in nearly all radio, television and cable system for the purpose of delivering network feeds. These systems with proper coordination could easily be configured to carry EAS traffic.
Once enough broadcasting facilities are provided, state emergency management agencies and other agencies convert to satellite delivery, the Nigerian communication commission (NCC) will act accordingly.
Professionals lead the way in working with public television stations in development of a hybrid system using satellite and IP data casting technology.
The National Security Team need to evaluate Satellite-based messaging and alert system such as EMNET (Emergency Management Networking) to be deployed all over the 36 states in Nigeria.
- Satellites: Enabling ports and ocean’s offshore links when it comes to protecting seaports and coastal zones, the nation’s maritime administration and safety agency and authorities are routinely in touch via satellite with vessels under way and remote shore-based users using both voice and data links.
- Satellite plays an important role in navigation and the maritime agencies search and rescue operations as well.
- The maritime agency is constantly in search of smaller mobile terminals for ships less than 30 meters in length.
- IP demand-oriented networks is a direction in which the maritime authorities and agencies are trying to head.
- Satellites are a must setting up response centers until more permanent means of communications can be put in place, if any.
- Satellites are a must for remote, disadvantaged users for access to critical information.
- The maritime authorities and agencies need to frequently demonstrate how they can use satellite technology effectively in a variety of emergency response scenarios, sometimes acting as a facilitators in order to assist other agencies.
- Response teams need satellite during emergencies to facilitate other state department and agencies with accessing databases and with the integration of various non-interoperable radio communications.
CREATING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER:
With the growing emphasis at the presidency and elsewhere on a rapid response squad to emergencies and terrorism, projects such as:
- Disaster response and emergency medical services (DREAMS) are meant to explore ways to use Satellite links to meet a number of needs.
- This advanced mobile medical communications and remote treatment concept revolves around the availability anywhere of two-way video, audio and data communications in ambulances, military vehicles and remote hospitals.
- The project involves using Ku-band/Ka-band hub terminals, commissioned and fully operational to plan a series of experiments that will operate between facilities at different hubs.
- Those experiments will operate IP over DVB bi-directionally.
- The end goal is to deliver IP over DVB to the ambulance (mobile) node in order to dramatically reduce the cost, footprint and power requirements of the data receiver on the ambulance. A typical configuration supports fully duplex data rate of 2.048Mbps
- Testing need to be conducted on the ambulance terminal with the hub in various configurations such as 2.048Mbps (E1).
- Another role of Satellite equipped specialized vehicle involves rapid telecom infrastructure restoration at remote locations.
- This may involves hub terminal addiction of the office of Emergency Management and Communications. Purchasing a small slice of dedicated Satellite bandwidth to support the vehicle and subsequently buying a larger slice in coordination with other entities is ideal.
Satellite Technology enabling Airport Emergency Communications:
- A new Satellite equipped mobile command post (MCP) supports an operating team of a dozen people which can remain on scene for as long as a week with Satellite based video conferencing and remote database access, among other things.
- The vehicle is intentionally designed with some generic components to allow responders from various departments including national security team to be able to use the vehicles capabilities.
- Dual Satellite phones are onboard the vehicles in case cellular phone services crashes or degrades.
- Via IP date transmissions over Satellite, MCP personnel can maintain contact with the fixed facility Emergency Operations Center (EOC), beaming back everything including:
- Photos
- Closed-circuit television feeds
- A forward looking infrared camera feed in instances where visibility on scene is impaired by smoke, for example.
LAW ENFORCEMENT NEED TO WARM UP TO SATELLITE:
The Nigerian Law Enforcement community needs to be on the frontline when it comes to national security.
- In large rural border state in particular, the use of Satellite technology is becoming increasingly common and widespread.
- A state police for a start may begin by equipping about 150 vehicles with Satellite delivered data communications. Through this means a state police stands to slash its data cost by 50 percent by ending the routine use of messaging from officers in the field.
- And as for new Satellite based solutions impacting operations for national security agents, the use of remote video feeds are required.
- The Satellite industry in Nigeria is watching and evaluating how to implement those for national security as time progresses.
- Definitely, at a time when an organization is not able to replace equipment at one time, any changes will have to be phased in to improve services.
- 1At the state level, the state patrol can begin to use trucks/vans equipped with two-way Satellite terminals to perform commercial vehicle enforcement tasks.
- The national security teams need to look at replacing its current systems with systems that will allow communications while a vehicle is in motion. The cost of purchasing and maintaining the systems is easily offset by the benefits in terms of improved communications, and the sharing of valuable data with out-of-state personnel.
- At the senate, many experts see the role of Satellite technology as a work in progress that for numerous reasons does not necessarily occupy a top slot on the national committee priority list. While I am sure that satellite technology has a role to play in national security, it is probably not a special role that the senate committee on national security should go out of its way to support just for the sake of going high tech. This is because most of what we need are:
- SENSORS
- Good computer databases
- Such hands-on technologies
- Patience
- Taking full advantage of Satellites to date.
- Taking full advantage of numerous capabilities across a very broad spectrum that could be very helpful.
- National security via satellite should not be a surprise to anyone judging by the events of today. This should be seen as the biggest reorganization in our 61years as a nation as well as the most complex problem requiring a very complex integrated set of solutions that the nation has ever had to face.
- As you can see, there is urgent need for the national security team and other state and local agencies to start using satellite technology more frequently along with other telecom and emergency response assets. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) need to act fast to facilitate these involvement.
- When all is said and done, given the need for rapid access to vast information resources that can be updated in real-time. It is the incident commanders on scene who probably benefit the most by having a varidly of communications link close at hand. In many instances, a fixed mobile Satellite link should be viewed as a necessity, where the emerging global mobile personal communications (GMPCS) by satellite terminals are compulsory for national security.
CONCLUSION:
With the recent occurrences in Nigeria, including manmade and natural disasters, the National Security should be seeking Satellite solutions for its various agency needs for:
- Border patrol
- Command operations
- Control activities
- Emergency response operations
This is because Satellite enables those in a crisis situation or ones that are preventing one, to execute directives as soon as possible.
There are three areas where commercial satellite technology can significantly play a role:
- Communications
- Remote sensing
- Data information services such as weather
- Andrew Aroh is President SSPI Nigeria
As the revolutionary Airtel Spam AI Alert Service rolls out across Airtel Africa’s 14 operating countries, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, has elaborated on the unprecedented benefits and operating principles guiding the Spam Alert Service.
Designed to enhance user safety, this pioneering AI-driven product provides real-time defense against spam and fraudulent SMS messages, making it a gamechanger for mobile security across the continent.
The Airtel AI Spam Alert Service, which is engineered to automatically detect and label suspicious SMS messages as “Suspected SPAM” without requiring any user action or additional apps, leverages a robust AI algorithm that analyzes over 250 parameters.
These parameters includee sender behavior, message frequency, message geographical distribution, and unusual activity patterns. Impressively, the service completes this process under just two milliseconds, offering near-instantaneous alerts while maintaining the privacy of user data by not reading message content.
Commenting on the breakthrough service, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, stated: “Nigeria is not just a critical market for us—it’s a leader in digital adoption within the continent. Our AI Spam Alert Service reflects our dedication to safeguarding our customers from the growing threat of SMS fraud.
“As the first of its kind in Africa, it addresses a fundamental issue of trust and security, which is paramount to our digital ecosystem. We’re proud to offer this service to Nigerians and extend it across our African footprint.”
Following its successful deployment in Nigeria, the Spam Alert Service has now launched in Tanzania and Kenya and is set to cover Airtel’s entire African operations. The service’s automatic activation for all Airtel customers, across both smartphones and feature phones, ensures maximum reach and accessibility.
Early feedback from subscribers has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the AI’s efficiency in flagging potentially harmful messages without interfering with their everyday communication.
By pioneering this AI-based spam detection technology, Airtel Africa demonstrates its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge innovation to resolve critical issues facing its subscribers. The AI Spam Alert Service not only protects users but also sets a new benchmark for mobile security standards in the region.
“Our goal is to build a safer digital environment for our users,” added Balsingh. “This innovation is part of our broader strategy to incorporate advanced technologies that address real challenges while enhancing the overall customer experience.”
As Africa stands at the point of a profound transformation, the imperative for greater intra-continental cooperation has never been clearer. The path to shared prosperity depends not on the progress of individual nations but on the collective strength of our commitments.
Central to this vision is the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria, two of the continent’s largest economies, and the institutions that serve as bridges between them.
It was an honour for MTN Group to host Minister Parks Tau (SA Minister of Trade Industry and Competition) and his delegation at our Headquarters in Johannesburg. At a time when global uncertainties are reshaping trade and technology, Africa must respond not in isolation, but in solidarity.
As MTN, we see it as our duty to serve as an economic diplomatic bridge between Nigeria and South Africa — driving growth, fostering inclusion, and unlocking opportunity for the Africa’s shared prosperity.
MTN’s journey exemplifies what is possible when two great nations collaborate. As Nigeria’s largest South African investor, MTN has long viewed its presence not simply as a commercial venture but as a platform for inclusive development.
Since commencing operations in Nigeria in 2001, we have invested more than US$10 billion in the country’s digital infrastructure.
Today, MTN Nigeria serves over 80 million subscribers, employs thousands directly, and supports hundreds of thousands of livelihoods across its extended value chain.
Yet, while the economic footprint is significant, our greatest source of pride lies in the social and developmental outcomes accompanying this investment, expanded access to connectivity, enhanced financial inclusion, and the empowerment of individuals and enterprises through digital technologies.
Still, the operating environment remains complex. Macroeconomic challenges in Nigeria, including currency depreciation, inflation, and constraints in accessing foreign exchange, have placed pressure on business continuity and investor confidence.
Despite these difficulties, MTN remains firmly committed to its business case and its long-term presence in Nigeria, underpinned by a belief in the country’s enduring potential and strategic importance to the continent.
However, for South Africa and Nigeria to truly unlock their bilateral potential, a number of long-standing issues require resolution. The upcoming South Africa–Nigeria Trade and Investment Summit, to be held in Abuja later this year, presents a unique opportunity to address these concerns.
The Summit serves not merely as a diplomatic engagement, but as a catalyst for policy reform, reciprocal market access, and institutional dialogue. Importantly, it should reinforce the private sector’s role in shaping practical, actionable solutions that support cross-border trade and investment.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a historic platform to actualise these ambitions. Yet its success will depend as much on infrastructure and digital connectivity as it will on tariff liberalisation or regulatory harmonisation.
As a pan-African operator, MTN is investing heavily in the digital foundations of AfCFTA, facilitating seamless mobile communication, enabling digital payments, and building platforms for cross-border entrepreneurship.
We also believe that integration must extend beyond economic frameworks to include cultural exchange and people-to-people engagement. One such initiative is our MTN Media Innovation Programme, which brings emerging Nigerian media professionals to South Africa for immersive learning.
Through programmes like these, we aim to cultivate not only knowledge and skills, but also enduring bonds between our nations’ future leaders.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector witnessed a notable decline in internet users following a 50 per cent tariff hike on voice, data, and SMS services implemented in January 2025.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made this known in industry statistics on its website.
According to the report, the industry lost approximately one million internet users in February, with the user base shrinking from 142.16 million to 141.25 million.
It said although a slight recovery was observed in March, with the figure rising to 142.05 million, the sector’s data consumption patterns were significantly impacted.
The NCC data showed a 12 per cent decline in monthly data consumption in February, dropping to 893.06 petabytes from January’s record high of one exabyte.
It, however, said a marginal rebound was recorded in March, with data usage increasing by 11.5 per cent to 995.88 petabytes.
Despite this modest recovery, the report said consumption levels remained slightly below the January peak, suggesting that subscribers continued to exhibit caution in their usage habits due to the increased tariffs.
Meanwhile, the telecom industry demonstrated resilience in other areas, with operators adding 3.39 million new telephone users between January and March.
This growth propelled the total active lines from 169.32 million to 172.71 million, subsequently boosting Nigeria’s teledensity from 78.10 per cent to 79.67 per cent during the same period.
In terms of market dynamics, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) maintained their dominance in the internet market.
MTN Nigeria led with 75.62 million users, followed by Airtel Nigeria with 48.8 million, Globacom with 15.37 million, and 9mobile with 1.75 million.
MTN also retained its market lead in active telephone lines with 90.5 million subscribers, representing a 52.48 per cent market share, while Airtel followed with 58.3 million users (33.78 per cent), Globacom with 20.7 million (12 per cent), and 9mobile with 2.9 million (1.72 per cent).
The latest industry figures underscore the complexities facing Nigeria’s telecom sector as operators navigate economic pressures and evolving consumer behaviours.
On porting activities, the NCC report noted that Nigeria’s fourth mobile network operator, 9mobile, had continued to experience a decline in its subscriber base, with a total of 5809 customers porting out of its network both in February and March.
The report showed that other operators recorded insignificant outgoing porting numbers compared to 9mobile.
It showed that MTN lost 647 customers, Airtel recorded 695 outgoing portings, Globacom recorded 771, while 9mobile lost 5808 in both February and March.
In terms of incoming porting, MTN gained the most customers from other operators, with 4855 subscribers joining its network in February and March, the report revealed.
It stated that Airtel recorded 2084 incoming porting, while Globacom gained 1007 customers in both months.
The NCC added that, meanwhile, 9mobile recorded only three incoming porting for both months.
According to the NCC report on incoming and outgoing porting activities of mobile network operators, a total of 7922 subscribers moved from one network to another in February and March.
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