NCC to issue licence to last-mile satellite operators

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to issue licences to last mile satellite operators to provide broadband services, according to Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

Danbatta, who dropped this hint at the ATCON sectoral virtual forum, said this has become necessary to ensure ubiquitous broadband, as well as improve broadband services in the country.

Already, the June subscriber statistics from the NCC showed that there are over 70 million broadband subscribers in the country with about 40 per cent penetration.

Danbatta revealed that in last year, the Commission provided licences for commercial satellite space segment, with 55 operators empowered with landing permits.

The NCC Boss also said the Nigeria telecom regulator is in the process of reviewing the Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) framework as mandated by the New National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, to align with the new broadband plan.

He said that the licensing of Infracos was meant to cascade capacities to the hinterland through fibre infrastructure investments.

Danbatta said that such review also falls in line with the Commission’s efforts to ensure even deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country, and the utilization of submarine broadband landed at the sea-shores in Lagos.