NCC to Use Satellite Tech to Expand Mobile Access for 23.3m Nigerians

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will explore satellite-to-phone technology to expand mobile coverage to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians who are currently underserved by traditional, ground-based networks.

In a consultation paper published on its website, the regulator said the initiative is part of efforts to close long-standing connectivity gaps identified in its 2024 cluster gap study, which flagged 87 clusters with limited service. 

The NCC is now inviting feedback from industry stakeholders on how direct-to-device satellite services can be deployed in Nigeria in a way that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and uses spectrum efficiently.

Satellite-to-phone connectivity, also called direct-to-device (D2D) or direct-to-cell, enables regular smartphones to connect straight to satellites for voice calls, text messages, and data, without depending on nearby cell towers. 

The NCC noted that recent advances in satellite and non-terrestrial network technology are making this approach more practical, especially in places where building terrestrial infrastructure is either too expensive or too difficult.

The Commission said it is considering multiple deployment options based on local realities such as geography and operating conditions. It added that stakeholder input will be used to shape the regulatory framework, including spectrum planning, licensing expectations, and performance standards for satellite D2D services.

The move aligns with the NCC’s 2025–2030 Spectrum Roadmap, which positions non-terrestrial networks as an important complement to existing mobile infrastructure. The regulator also pointed to recent industry developments, including Airtel Africa’s agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria, as evidence that satellite connectivity is becoming a more prominent tool for extending coverage.

According to the NCC, the consultation—opened on 12 January 2026—will guide decisions on technology choices, service quality expectations, and operational requirements to ensure satellite services meaningfully support Nigeria’s universal access goals.

The Commission said satellite D2D is gaining global momentum as regulators and telecom operators look for practical ways to integrate satellite services with mobile networks, particularly in regions where terrain, insecurity, and high deployment costs have kept millions outside reliable coverage.

Nigeria’s rural connectivity gap remains a major challenge. The NCC noted that while national broadband penetration is around 50%, roughly 23 million Nigerians are still completely unconnected—leaving about 61% of rural residents offline. With nearly half of Nigeria’s estimated 233 million population living in rural areas (about 105 million people), the regulator said the scale of the access gap is significant.

The NCC attributed slow rural expansion to the economics of terrestrial networks. It said scattered settlements, poor electricity supply, limited fibre backhaul, and difficult terrain make base station rollouts costly, often stretching investment payback timelines to five to ten years.

Security concerns, it added, further delay network deployment, while high-demand cities like Lagos continue to attract the bulk of infrastructure because operators can recover investments faster there, despite public support interventions such as the Universal Service Provision Fund.

The regulator also referenced initiatives like the MTN-Huawei “RuralCow” project, which it said can shorten payback periods to about three years using solar-powered mini-stations, but noted that coverage gaps still persist.

In that context, the NCC described satellite direct-to-device services, such as the Airtel-Starlink model, as an emerging, potentially lower-cost pathway to connect rural blackspots and hard-to-reach communities.