NIGCOMSAT Set To Deploy 5G Satellite

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) says  plans are underway to deploy 5G,  using a new satellite known as NIGCOMSAT 2.
It also said the NIGCOMSAT 2  would be launched into orbit by the first quarter of 2023 to enhance coverage.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT,  Dr Ambibola Alale, made this known at a stakeholders engagement forum organised by the agency in Lagos recently.
He informed that the satellite would backhaul the services of 5G once telecom operators deploy the fifth generation network services.
In his view, the backhauling meant getting data to a point which could be distributed via the optic fibre or network.
Alale also disclosed that the government planned to provide 70 per cent broadband by 2025, and that NIGCOMSAT would keep working with other technology providers to be able to deliver broadband services to all Nigerians.
The Deputy General Manager, Satellite Control and Operations, NIGCOMSAT, Dr. Anthony Orjinta, during a panel discussion,  said satellite had always been supporting all GSM operators.
“Satelite has always been serving areas that are underserved, because we all know that the cost of deploying terrestrial sites is quite expensive, but fibre deployment is even more costly due to our environment.
“As the 2G, 3G, 4G technologies are evolving, so also are the technologies in the satellite industry.The enhanced capacities that are available in other technologies are also coming along in the satellite space”, he said.
Orjinta stated that originally when the telecom industry started, Nigeria only had voice calls but with evolution, things changed.
He explained that NIGCOMSAT was in the process of launching a new satelite which would be one of the first in Africa and a deal breaker .
Accordingly,  he  has revealed that the satellite would provide back haul services for all 5G operations, while simultaneously delivering services of the same comparative capacity to underserved areas and dark spots that were not economically viable for terrestrial operators.
He also hinted that terrestrial operators would not want to deploy 5G in areas that are not profitable.
“We have had situations where companies put in terrestrial traffic data locations and actually took them off because they were not making enough money”, he said.
The theme of the event was “NIGCOMSAT: The Roadmap for Enhanced Service Delivery”.