Satellite to save Nigeria $450m

Nigerian communication satellite (NIGCOMSAT-1) scheduled for re-launch in December this year, could save the country over $450 million spent annually on broadband and broadcasting, reports All Africa.com.

NIGCOMSAT-1 launched in 2004 was de-orbited in 2008 due to solar array challenges.

Professor Ita Bassey Ewa, Nigeria's Science and Technology minister, says the satellite creates a new source of employment and wealth creation, particularly in e-banking, e-governance, telecommunications, broadcasting, and e-commerce.

Vanguard says this came as the first Nigerian Internet Exchange point was unveiled in Abuja, as part of measures to reduce the cost of Internet connectivity in the country.

The Nigerian Internet Exchange point will interconnect Internet service providers, allowing them to exchange domestic Internet traffic locally without having to send messages across multiple international hops to reach their destination.

In a The Daily Independent report, former executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, says over 60% of businesses depend on wireless broadband in Nigeria, and satellite is needed to sustain business.

He adds: “Although fibre optic is unmatched in handling high-capacity bandwidth, communications satellite is highly recommended because of its capacity to handle rapid growth in the use of wireless devices in the country. The use of mobile devices is on the increase and Nigeria needs wireless broadband from satellite to handle the surge.”