In its bid to further accelerate rural access to internet services, NIGCOMSAT Limited, Nigeria’s leading provider of satellite communication infrastructure, says its collaborative project with rural connectivity solutions provider, Hotspot, will serve its purpose of delivering affordable internet services to rural communities.
NIGCOMSAT Limited, last month, entered into a partnership with Hotspot, which specialises in rural connectivity solutions, to birth a project which the satellite firm described as a groundbreaking partnership.
A statement by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs at NIGCOMSAT, Aisha Bantam, said the strategic collaboration aims to revolutionise access to reliable and affordable internet services in underserved communities across the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bantam said NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot would leverage their respective strengths to deploy cutting-edge satellite technology and innovative connectivity solutions to connect remote and rural areas that have traditionally lacked access to internet connectivity.
“By combining NIGCOMSAT’s extensive satellite infrastructure and Hotspot’s expertise in rural connectivity, this partnership will empower communities to bridge the digital divide and unlock new opportunities for socioeconomic development.
“At NIGCOMSAT, we are committed to leveraging our technological capabilities to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions
Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT Limited, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, explained that the collaboration with Hotspot highlights the company’s unwavering dedication to connect the unconnected and ensure that no community is left behind in the digital age.
Also speaking, Hotspot’s Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Morenikeji Aniye, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to work alongside NIGCOMSAT in this endeavour.
“At Hotspot connecting the millions of unconnected persons remains a cardinal objective of our mission.
“By combining our expertise and resources, we will be able to deploy innovative solutions that bring reliable and affordable internet access to rural communities, empowering them to participate fully in the digital economy and access essential services.”
The agreement which was signed on Thursday June 27, 2024, is part of NIGCOMSAT’s relentless commitment towards enhancing its coverage through Nigeria and beyond.
While NIGCOMSAT Limited is a communication satellite service provider with coverage over African countries and parts of Europe and Asia, Hotspot Network Limited is a one-shop for all networking and telecommunications needs.
The rural connectivity project is also in partnership with Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The project is expected to deliver rural connectivity on NigComSat-1R Ka-Band platform.
So far, Hotspot has proposed targeting a sizeable number of rural communities across Nigeria with the service.
The joint initiative between NIGCOMSAT and Hotspot will commence immediately, with plans to roll out the first phase of the project in select rural areas within the next six months.
This collaboration underscores NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and positioning Nigeria as a leader in the deployment of cutting-edge satellite communication technologies for the benefit of its citizens.
