Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the license of Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, to operate in Nigeria.
Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis within each coverage area.
The company received two licenses, the International Gateway license and the Internet service provider (ISP) license, and will be trading as Starlink Internet Services Nigeria Ltd.
According to NCC, the International Gateway license has a 10-year tenure, while the ISP license lasts five years. Both licenses take effect from May 2022 and may be renewed after the expiration.
Recall that Space Exploration Technologies, SpaceX expressed interest to bring its Starlink satellite internet into Nigeria on May 12, 2022.
After SpaceX representatives provided an overview of its plans, expectations, licensing requests, and deployment phases, the Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, promised them that the NCC will work on necessary modalities to ensure that it balances the need for healthy competition vis-a-vis the entry of new technologies, to protect all industry stakeholders.
The company has already entered into advanced discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to ensure the move cascades into a successful technology transfer project.
With high speeds and latency as low as 20 minutes in most locations, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite Internet.
Users also have the option to take Starlink with them via the Portability feature or Starlink.
