The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), yesterday, said the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of its satellite internet broadband project will provide 90% of Nigerians with affordable internet.
NASRDA spokesman, Felix Ale, disclosed this in Abuja, saying FEC approved the NASRDA project under the Regulatory Guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on November 30.
The project will be under concession for 15 years, with expected revenue of N28 billion and 10,000 jobs, boost internet penetration and help fight insecurity.
Ale said the implementation of the project will be in partnership with a leading global satellite communication equipment developer, Gilat Satellite Network and Gleo Technology.
The project will be under concession for 15 years, with expected revenue of N28 billion and 10,000 jobs, boost internet penetration and help fight insecurity.
Ale explained: “The project is basically on the design, finance, building, operation and transfer of a fast, affordable, reliable and high-speed fixed broadband internet based on advanced satellite technology, through a public-private partnership.
“The project is designed as part of the solution towards meeting Nigeria’s aspiration of providing up to 90% of Nigerians with fast, affordable, reliable, uninterrupted and high-speed fixed broadband internet at a price not more than N390 per gigabyte by 2025.”
According to him, the project will increase the fixed broadband penetration for Nigeria from its current abysmal level of 0.2% to a minimum of 30%.
He added that the project’s approval was in fulfilment of the presidential Executive Order No. 5 of 2018 aimed at promoting Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology as well as implementing the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.
“This will help in job creation, close technology gaps, increase revenue generation to the nation and enhance Nigeria’s global recognition in the field of communication equipment manufacturing for improved security across Nigeria,” Ale said. (NAN)
