The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd has continued to play a leading role in the provision of satellite communications infrastructure in the country, as it recently entered into partnerships with other important players in the sector for the purpose of deepening connectivity and enable greater inclusion.
One of such recent partnerships entails the provision of connectivity to INFRATEL AFRICA, a telecom giant in the country working on backhauling rural infrastructure project in the country.
The project is expected to migrate 100 locations to the NigComSat-1R Ka band hub platform. This connectivity will improve rural connectivity and further bridge the digital divide, which the present administration’s digital economy is working assiduously towards achieving.
The NigComSat-1R satellite capacity will continue to support businesses in improving connectivity solutions to expand telecoms networks and improve connectivity.
According to the Managing Director NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen, said the collaboration with INFRATEL AFRICA is a welcome development as NIGCOMSAT Ltd is now well placed to claim its rightful position in the industry.
Mrs Egerton-Idehen, said since she assumed office about eight months ago, she has received the cooperation of staff and customers “and together we are making significant progress in delivering services in the areas of transponder lease, broadband internet, broadcast service and other turnkey solutions”, she added at the signing of the agreement between the two companies.
The Managing Director noted that all the people she is currently working with, are all internal staff, which shows the level of competencies on ground. She assured INFRATEL AFRICA that NIGCOMSAT Ltd has recently upgraded its infrastructure to meet global standards for service delivery.
‘I have no doubt on the strength and competence of the staff and infrastructure l am working with and l want to assure you that we will deliver quality service to you and your customers’, the MD/CEO NIGCOMSAT declared.
Infratel Africa is connecting unserved and underserved communities to the global digital landscape, promoting inclusivity and digital equality by leveraging its infrastructure, expertise, and technology as a leading telecommunication infrastructure service provider in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
This amongst others is achieved by providing technology solutions to drive transformational services such as Agency Banking, Telemedicine, e-learning, e-government and Solar based cold rooms, within the rural communities utilizing strategic alliances with technical partners to deliver value to clients and enhance communication across Africa, bridging gaps regardless of social class or location.
In a related development, NIGCOMSAT Limited, Nigeria’s leading provider of satellite communication infrastructure, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Hotspot, a leading technology company which, specialises in rural connectivity solutions. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionise access to reliable and affordable internet services in underserved communities across the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot will leverage their respective strengths to deploy cutting-edge satellite technology and innovative connectivity solutions to connect remote and rural areas that have traditionally lacked access to internet connectivity. By combining NIGCOMSAT’s extensive satellite infrastructure and Hotspot’s expertise in rural connectivity, this partnership will empower communities to bridge the digital divide and unlock new opportunities for socioeconomic development.
“At NIGCOMSAT, we are committed to leveraging our technological capabilities to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions,” said Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT Limited.
“This collaboration with Hotspot highlights our unwavering dedication to connect the unconnected and ensure that no community is left behind in the digital age”, she added.
Hotspot’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Morenikeji Aniye, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to work alongside NIGCOMSAT in this endeavour. At Hotspot connecting the millions of unconnected persons remains a cardinal objective of our mission. By combining our expertise and resources, we will be able to deploy innovative solutions that bring reliable and affordable internet access to rural communities, empowering them to participate fully in the digital economy and access essential services.”
The agreement which, was signed on Thursday June 27, 2024, is part of NIGCOMSAT’s relentless commitment towards enhancing its coverage through Nigeria and beyond.
While NIGCOMSAT Ltd is a communication satellite service provider with coverage over African countries and parts of Europe and Asia, Hotspot Network Limited is a one-shop for all networking and telecommunications needs. The rural connectivity project is also in partnership with Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The project is expected to deliver rural connectivity on NigComSat-1R Ka-Band platform. So far, Hotspot has proposed targeting a sizeable number of rural communities across Nigeria with the service.
The joint initiative between NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot will commence immediately, with plans to roll out the first phase of the project in select rural areas within the next six months. This collaboration underscores NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and positioning Nigeria as a leader in the deployment of cutting-edge satellite communication technologies for the benefit of its citizens.