The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) is in advanced talks with American space company Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), to bring its Starlink satellite internet into the country.
Starlink and SpaceX officials recently visited Nigeria to discuss with the NCC about the possibility and process of obtaining licenses to operate the satellite internet in the country.
SpaceX is launching a low-earth orbiting (LEO) constellation of satellites to provide low latency, high bandwidths Internet across the globe and the company has identified Nigeria as a critical market in Africa.
According to research findings, Nigeria’s internet penetration currently stands at 50%. With the government setting a target of 70% penetration by 2025, Starlink’s low latency, high bandwidths satellite internet could present a great opportunity reach that milestone.
To date, Starlink has about 1500 satellites in orbit and in 2021 alone, the company launched 610 satellites with a target of 2814.
Discussions between SpaceX and the NCC have been ongoing for several months in order to initiate the process of pursuing all necessary licenses required to bring Starlink broadband services to Nigeria.
