'Nigeria needs more satellites to deepen broadband penetration' - Minister

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May 23, 2016 1:41 PM

The Minister said that NIGCOMSAT Limited currently operates only one satellite (NigComSat-1R) and needs to improve its fleet to enhance customer confidence.

Adebayo Shittu during his ministerial screening at the National house of assembly

Media reports confirm that Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Minister for Communications, has said that Nigeria requires more satellites to enable the ComSat-1R offer better serves to Nigeria in the areas of telecommunications services and broadband penetration.

According to Nigeria Communications Week, the Minister made the position known in Abuja at the National Assembly special sectoral debate on the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

The Minister said that NIGCOMSAT Limited currently operates only one satellite (NigComSat-1R) and needs to improve its fleet to enhance customer confidence and enable the company effectively compete in the sector.

READ: FG considering 'options' for satellite company

Shittu added that Nigerians and business owners in the country currently patronize foreign satellite operators who own multiple satellites in the orbit.

Increasing the fleet, said Shittu, will aid and ensure that agencies of government, Nigerians and the International business prospects also patronize the satellite.

In his comments, Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, House Committee Chairman on ICT, also expressed concern on the need for more use of Nigerian-owned communications satellite and urged the Minister to prioritise the launching of more communications satellites in the near future.

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