TSSF 3.0: Stakeholders brainstorm on Starlink emergence as prospect or threat to ISPs, Others
Following the emergence of the Starlink in the Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and the diverse stakeholders’ reactions that greeted it, Business Remarks, the organizer of Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF) deemed it expedient to organize the Third Edition, Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 3.0) to interrogate it under the theme, Starlink: A prospect or a threat to the sustainability of Nigeria’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Infrastructure Companies (the Infracos).
Speaking in her welcome address at the event held in Lagos, Mrs Bukola Olanrewaju, Editor, Business Remarks and convener of the forum, noted that given the internet’s increasingly important role as a communication tool, internet connectivity has become a vital component of daily life, and many nations have embarked on ambitious projects to expand and improve access to the internet.
Olanrewaju stated that communications demand to bring faster internet and accessibility to people across the globe is the driving factor.
“It is believed that the use of satellite technology in Nigeria dates back to the military era and also a known fact that satellites have played a fundamental role in providing connectivity. In the last few years, the space industry has seen a rapid increase in satellite launches.
“Satellite Internet service makes use of radio waves to communicate with satellites and provides high-speed Internet access to locations where wired, fibre, and cable options are not available. Satellite communication has become a key technology for providing interactive TV and broadband internet services in low-density rural areas. This positions satellites as the go-to platform for the delivery of broadband Internet services to remote customers in the hitherto under-served regions.
“Although Nigeria is regarded as Africa’s fastest-growing telecommunications market, its broadband penetration is largely dependent on fibre connectivity,” she said.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), according to her, disclosed that there are about 157 million active internet users in Nigeria, adding that the broadband penetration rate hit 48.20%, with broadband subscriptions rising to 92.01 million but there remains the 114 access gap.
According to Speedtest Global Index, Nigeria’s mobile download speed is pegged at 22.37 Mbps (megabits per second) while its upload speed is 9.68 Mbps with a latency of 32 milliseconds; the Fixed broadband download speed is 14.30 Mbps and the upload speed of 11.19 Mbps with a latency of 22 milliseconds.
The Editor, Business Remarks pointed out that as the push for quality internet connection is now in very high demand, competition among players has become fiercer.
She hinted that Nigeria became the first African country to receive Elon Musk-owned Starlink satellite internet service and the service went live in February.
In Nigeria, she said, the company boosted download speeds between 50-200 Mbps, stressing that the emergence has been greeted with diverse reactions.
She disclosed that on the other hand, Nigeria’s Internet Service Providers have been confronted by several challenges such as anti-competition practices, inadequate spectrum, the high price of bandwidth, and the high cost of Right of Way.
She recalled that at the first edition of the telecoms sector Sustainability Forum, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) noted that as a result of these challenges, deliberate policies and regulations are being looked at in the Commission in ensuring that ISPs and other smaller players in the industry thrive.
Olanrewaju stated further that it is on this basis that stakeholders and experts were assembled to dissect today’s theme, Starlink: A prospect or a threat to the sustainability of Nigeria’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Infrastructure Companies (the Infracos) to the understanding and appreciation of all.
