Satellite Connectivity Nigeria: NCC plans to use satellite-to-phone technology to reach 23.3 million Nigerians underserved by mobile networks

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to leverage satellite technology to extend mobile network coverage to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians who remain underserved by conventional terrestrial infrastructure.

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The initiative, centred on satellite-to-phone services also known as direct-to-device (D2D) or direct-to-cell connectivity, would allow standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites for voice calls, text messages, and limited data services without relying on ground-based cell towers.

In a consultation paper published on its website, the NCC said the proposal is aimed at closing long-standing connectivity gaps identified in its 2024 cluster gap study, which found 87 clusters across the country with little or no mobile coverage.

The Commission said it is seeking input from industry stakeholders on how satellite D2D services can be deployed effectively in Nigeria while maintaining fair competition, efficient spectrum use, and strong consumer protection.

According to the NCC, recent advances in satellite and non-terrestrial network technologies now make it feasible for mobile devices to communicate directly with satellites, offering a practical solution for remote or hard-to-reach areas where deploying traditional infrastructure is either difficult or prohibitively expensive.

“The NCC is exploring a mix of approaches tailored to specific locations and operational conditions to achieve national connectivity objectives,” the regulator said.

It added that stakeholder feedback would guide the development of regulatory frameworks, spectrum allocation models, and deployment strategies for satellite direct-to-device services.

The move aligns with the Commission’s 2025–2030 Spectrum Roadmap, which identifies non-terrestrial networks as a critical complement to existing mobile infrastructure.

It also reflects broader industry trends, including Airtel Africa’s recent agreement with SpaceX to deliver Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.

The consultation process, which opened on January 12, 2026, will help the NCC determine appropriate technologies, performance benchmarks, and operational requirements to ensure satellite services contribute meaningfully to universal access goals.

Satellite D2D connectivity is gaining global attention as regulators and telecom operators seek new ways to integrate satellite services with mobile networks, particularly in regions where geography, security concerns, and high deployment costs have left millions without reliable connectivity.

In December 2025, Airtel Africa partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to roll out direct-to-cell services across 14 markets, including Nigeria.

The service, expected to begin in 2026 with texting and limited data capabilities via more than 650 satellites, positions Airtel as the first African operator to offer Starlink D2D connectivity, targeting its 59 million Nigerian subscribers, especially in underserved areas.

Nearly half of Nigeria’s estimated 233 million population, about 105 million people, live in rural areas with limited or no access to mobile and internet services.

While national broadband penetration stands at roughly 50 per cent, about 23 million Nigerians remain completely unconnected, leaving more than 60 per cent of rural residents offline.

Industry analysts note that high deployment costs, dispersed settlements, unreliable electricity, limited fibre infrastructure, difficult terrain, and insecurity have made rural network expansion slow and expensive.

Although initiatives such as the Universal Service Provision Fund and projects like MTN and Huawei’s RuralCow have helped reduce deployment costs through solar-powered base stations, coverage gaps persist.

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Against this backdrop, satellite direct-to-device services are increasingly seen as a cost-effective way to connect rural blackspots and accelerate Nigeria’s digital inclusion drive.