By Prince Osuagwu

THE Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT Limited, has stated that Direct-To-Home(DTH) local platform and the digital broadcasting which Nigeria is planning to switch onto next year, would be direct beneficiaries of its replacement satellite NigComSat 1R when it is launched in December.

The company said that migration of broadcast media to High Definition (HD) digital platform, in particular, will be addressed by the satellite. The company also said that modalities to ensure that these and other related developments are attained, would be explained next month when it hosts a three day stakeholders conference in Lagos.

The conference is the second in the series of several roadshows to address salient issues in the soon to be launched satellite. It is tagged “prelaunch marketing sensitisation for NigComSat 1R “. It will enable officials of the company to throw more light on the satellite which has since been moved to its launch site in China. Team leader for the conference, Barrister Bala Mohammed said the events are slated to run from November 21 to 23 at the Lagos Sheraton and Towers,Ikeja.

Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT limited, Engr Ahmed-Rufai is expected to flag off the discourse with a keynote paper “Communications Satellite: A key player in digital broadcasting”. His paper will dovetail into that of Anthony Orjinta whose paper dwells on DTH opportunities at NIGCOMSAT.

Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa will speak on “Future Trends in broadcasting technology”. A former Director of Engineering of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Engr. Edward Amana will moderate this session.

The conference which is expected to be declared open by the Communications Technology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, will also address broadband internet penetration.

…. gets Reps commenadation

Meanwhile the House of Representative’s committee on Communication Technology has commended NigComSat on the proposed launch of NigComSat 1R schedule for December 19, 2011 in China.

The commendation came shortly after the Managing Director, Chief Executive of NIGCOMSAT Ltd Engr. Ahmed-Rufai presented the performance of the year 2011 fiscal year at the National Assembly complex recently.

Leading the commendation, a member of the committee Hon. Akinlade Abiodun from Ogun State said “when the satellite was de-orbited the House graciously allowed the committee on Science and Technology to accompany the agency to China to go and sign the replacement agreement, thank God again in few weeks time now, Nigeria will be back in orbit. The MD has to be commended for having faith,” he added.

Also contributing, Hon Chris Azubogu from Anambra, while expressing optimism, tasked NIGCOMSAT to collaborate with agencies especially Radio and Television to reach the remote parts of the country.

‘The agency you are managing holds a very important position for Nigeria ; we are driving towards agric economy. We planned to reach the remotest part of Nigeria with communication. I want you to look at the best way to collaborate with radio and television stations, especially radio’ Hon. Azubogu emphasised.