Elon Musk’s SpaceX visits Nigeria’s telecoms regulator over critical satellite matter


A delegation from SpaceX, American aerospace manufacturer and space transportations services company owned by Elon Musk, worlds’ second richest man, has paid a visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s telecoms industry regulator.

The visit, it was gathered, was about a low-earth orbiting (LOE) constellation of satellites which SpaceX is about to launch to provide low latency, high bandwidths Internet to all corners of the globe.

The tech firm has identified Nigeria as a critical market for the satellite when it is eventually launched.


Business Metrics can report that SpaceX has been in discussion with NCC virtually over the past several months to begin the process of pursuing all necessary licenses to bring Starlink, its satellite-based broadband services to Nigeria.

Having made substantial progress in the discussion, the Commission granted SpaceX’s request for a face-to-face discussion to gain better insights on the prospects of their proposal.

Led by SpaceX’s Starlink Market Access Director for Africa, Ryan Goodnight and supported by the company’s consultant, Levin Born, the company provided an overview of its plans, expectations, licensing requests and deployment phases during the meeting.

After the presentation by SpaceX team, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, who stood in for the executive vice chairman (EVC) of the commission, said NCC will work on necessary modalities to ensure that it balances the need for healthy competition vis-a-vis the entry of new technologies, in order to protect all industry stakeholders.

He stressed that in light of disruption in the technology world, it is keen on balancing healthy competition with entry of disruptive technologies to ensure sustainable telecoms industry growth and development in Nigeria.

“As the regulator of a highly dynamic sector in Nigeria, the Commission is conscious of the need to ensure that our regulatory actions are anchored on national interest.

“We have listened to your presentation and we will review it vis-à-vis our regulatory direction of ensuring effective and a sustainable telecoms ecosystem where a licensee’s operational model does not dampen healthy competition among other licensees,” Maska told the SpaceX delegation.

Maska further stated that the Commission is interested in making necessary regulatory efforts to drive the coverage of rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country through the accomplishments of the lofty targets contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025.

He noted that the plan’s target of 70 per cent broadband penetration target, covering 90 per cent of the population by 2025 is also in line with government expectations in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), 2010-2030.

Other Senior Management staff of the Commission, at the briefing include the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu; Director, Licensing and Authorisation, Mohammed Babajika; Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Bako Wakil; Director, New Media and Information Security, Dr. Haru Alhassan and Director, Spectrum Administration, Oluwatoyin Asaju, among others.

Section 70 (2) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, empowers the Commission to regulate the provision and use of all satellite communications services and networks, in whole or in part within Nigeria or on a ship or aircraft registered in Nigeria.

This is for the purpose of ensuring a well-developed and organised satellite communications market with appropriate legal framework that meets international best practices, encourages innovation, promotes competition and guarantees public safety in the rendering of commercial satellite services.

OP, how you go bring this kind story and e no go get source? Who wan take you serious?

Even though it is real, Corruption no go let them succeed for where MTN and other useless networks dey.

Hnnm

Randerl:
Even though it is real, Corruption no go let them succeed for where MTN and other useless networks dey.

MTN no get money reach space X
They will just buy out the naija mtn end of story.

MTN & other established broadband service providers must not be allowed to frustrate SpaceX's bid in the name of protecting healthy competition. NCC will need to stand firm, stave off pressure & reject financial inducements.

They should focus on their core voice & adapt or innovate on their regular data services because millions of Nigerians will not be deprived of high quality, super-speed satellite Internet services for the pecuniary interests of a few.