FG to leverage NigComSat-1R to deepen broadband penetration
Federal government would leverage on the Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat-1R) to deepen broadband penetration in the country, according to Dr. Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Pantami also hinted of the federal government readiness to train 600 Nigerian youths on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) installations and core skills.
The minister disclosed this in Abuja during the official launch of the National Policy on VSAT installation core skills for Nigerians and the flag-off of the policy implementation through the training of 600 youths nationwide.
Pantami highlighted that the NigComSat-1R is a critical national infrastructure that the government wants to leverage on to deepen broadband connectivity and serve the under-served as well as the rural communities.
According to him, “The Nigerian Satellite (NigComSat–1R) is one of the critical national (solid) infrastructures under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy that can be leveraged on to deepen broadband penetration as well as to deliver Direct to Home (DTH) services in the country.”
The minister said that broadband connectivity plays a critical role in the development of Nigeria’s digital economy, noting “We are developing skill acquisition policies for the various infrastructure required to drive the digital economy.”
He cited the Satellite Market and Research publication, adding that VSAT market is getting more prevalent in several emerging economies, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America, which he said were undertaking initiatives to digitalise their economies to compete with their developed competitors.
Pantami observed, however, that this can only be actualised through the deployment of VSAT, adding that further digital content is also delivered to homes via the Television Receive Only (TVRO) antennae and decoders.
He disclosed that to effectively deploy satellite-based services, training and re-training of Nigerians on VSAT installation, TVRO antenna installation and configuration of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is therefore required to enhance the process.
He declared that addressing the capacity gap in the delivery of satellite-based services is therefore now considered as an urgent imperative to improve the quality of life in communities, especially in remote and rural areas where most of the population are situated.
