By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor & Adanna Nwankwo

The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, NIGCOMSAT yesterday expressed sympathy towards the harrowing conditions telecom operators are going through, which has caused very poor telecom services in the country.

This is as the telcos also agreed that satellite solutions could help their cause but hammered on the cost, saying satellite does not come cheap as a means of completing their connectivity route.

Satellite communication provides a land-based interface with voice, video, and information that can be accessed anywhere on the planet.

For instance, the telecom operators can place the 5G network in orbit to expand global connectivity and enhance communication capabilities.

The satellite company said it was out to allow the telcos leverage on its solutions and services to improve service offerings, even as it offers to avail them opportunities with its Original equipment manufacturers, OEMs to access equipments and services which can be paid in local currency, to circumvent the difficult forex route the telcos pass through to bring in most facilities.

The company made the revelation at a one-day VSAT training programme for its Installers in Ikoyi Lagos.

Explaining the essence of the training, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigcomsat,  Mrs  Jane Nkechi  Egerton-Idehen, who was represented by the head, marketing and stakeholders’ engagement, Olufunke Fagbeja, said the training was necessary to equip their technical partners with enough knowledge in installing VSAT equipments to extend connectivity to all nooks and cranny of the country.

According to Egerton-Idehen, NIGCOMSAT’s mission has always been to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every corner of Nigeria has access to reliable and efficient communication services.

Fielding questions on the relationship between the satellite company and the telcos in terms of using satellite to deliver telecom services, Fagbeja said: “In Nigcomsat, we believe in strategic partnerships. We believe in partnering to deliver not only services but also values to end users. But as much as we believe in strategic partnerships, it also depends on the other party too. So partnership with the telcos will bear fruits and we are actually having conversations with them to ensure they leverage our products, services and also contacts.

“For instance, we are not Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs but we have partnerships which allow us to get some equipments and pay on local currency. With the kind of partnerships we are fostering with the telcos, they can leverage those contacts to access equipments and pay in local currency

“One of our core values as an organization is innovation. We believe strongly in innovation, and that’s something that drives us. We believe in local content solutions, which can help us provide services to our customers“.

Reacting, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo admitted that his members are in talks with Nigcomsat to possibly use its services to improve services. He also agreed that satellite had a huge role to play in improving telcos quality of service but noted that cost is also a factor in considering satellite as an option.

According to Adebayo, “I agree, satellite has a role to play in completing our connectivity route and I am aware that my members are in talks with Nigcomsat. Of course no single solution solves the telecom problem totally. So, we are open to even more collaboration with as many as possible solution providers we find useful and will test all reliable solutions that can help solve our problem. However, cost is also a consideration. Satellite doesn’t come cheap“  he added

Part of the reasons for the training organized by the satellite company was to accelerate connectivity to rural area through The Project 774 LGA Connectivity, an initiative targeted at connecting all of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Secretariats with internet.

The project midwife by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is expected to create jobs and rid local areas of youths who indulge in crime due to unemployment.