NCC Issues Licences to Amazon’s LEO, BeetleSat-1 For Satellite-Powered Internet Services

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in its quest to strengthen the Nigerian government’s strategy to diversify connectivity infrastructure and attract next-generation technology investment has issued seven-year Internet licence each to Amazon’s Leo, formerly Project Kuiper, and BeetleSat-1 for satellite-powered internet services.

Nigeria’s satellite broadband market is expected to further consolidate on its booming trend as the commission stated that the authorization aligns with global best practices and reflects Nigeria’s willingness to open its satellite communications market to next-generation broadband service providers, given the growing demand for Internet connectivity nationwide.

The information posted on the NCC’s website on the latest licensing of the two companies, highlighted that the regulatory commission granted both entities seven-year renewable Ka-Band frequencies licences for their frequency band operations in the country with effect from February 28 this year.

The information emphasized that the NCC’s landing permit authorizes Project Kuiper to operate its space segment in Nigeria as part of a global low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of up to 3,236 satellites.

On the technical side, the approval covers the use of Ka-band known for high data transmission capacity. Using 100 MHz channels, Amazon is targeting speeds of up to 400 Mbps while keeping terminal costs compatible with large-scale adoption. These features strengthen satellite broadband’s position as a credible alternative to terrestrial networks, including in urban and semi-urban areas.

The licences authorized the companies to offer fixed satellite services (FSS), mobile satellite services (MSS), and earth stations in motion (ESIM), covering households, businesses, and mobility needs, including logistics, aviation, maritime transport, and critical infrastructure.

In addition, the regulatory permission also gave Amazon LEO and BeetleSat-1, the legal certainty to invest in ground infrastructure, local partnerships, and contracts with the attendant implications for creating opportunity for the latest licensees in the rapidly evolving Nigeria’s space internet service market, where Starlink is currently operating.

Elon Musk’s Starlink has in the last few years remained Nigeria’s LEO satellite internet services provider with an estimated subscriber base of more than 66,000 in the country.

Industry experts believe that the entry of Amazon’s Kuiper into the nation’s satellite internet services space will transform the landscape into a more competitive market as two global players with significant financial, technological, and industrial capacity will jostle for market dominance with the potential affecting pricing, service quality, and coverage.

In addition, they foresee that LEO satellites, with their low latency, will become a key tool to support advanced digital uses, from cloud computing to digital financial services in the country.

With the licensing of the two new entrants by the NCC, the experts strongly feel that Nigeria has further reinforced her position as one of Africa’s fastest growing markets for satellite broadband as the competition among LEO operators is anticipated to facilitate faster, affordable, and more resilient internet access, benefiting consumers, businesses, and the current drive by government to boost the nation’s evolving digital economy.

Latest data from the NCC indicated that over 23 million Nigerians currently live in un-served or underserved areas, while mobile broadband penetration stood at 50.58% as at the end of November 2025.