FOLLOWING the declaration by the International Telecommunications Union to member countries to make broadband connectivity essential and available in at least 40 per cent home come 2012, the need for communication satellites to play critical role in this process in Nigeria has been stressed.Besides, it was also noted that, the federal government's plan to digitalise the economy would get a boost if the benefits of communication satellites can be adequately explored.Already, Nigeria can boast of having four submarine cables including MainOne fibre optic cables; Globacoms Glo 1; MTN's WASC and the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited SAT 3, carrying about 18 terabytes capacity, with over $2.24 billion investment, according to analysts.These cables have improved broadband penetration significantly in the country within the last 18 months.Aside the submarine cables playing a major role in broadband deployment in the country, analysts are also of the opinion that connectivity through the satellite can also help the country fast track its broadband deployment strategy.According to experts, including the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, with Nigeria's quest to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and also become a major economic bloc come year 2020, the country must facilitate all resources to achieve this feat.Johnson said Nigeria, which is a member of the ITU body will abide by the Body's decision by creating the enabling environment for broadband internet connectivity through adequate investment by both government and the private sector.Speaking at a three-day stakeholders' conference and Exhibition on NigComSat-1R in Lagos, which ends today, Johnson said the NigComSat-1R will no doubt add value and improve the fast growing ICT landscape in Nigeria, especially in the areas of broadband and internet connectivity.While canvassing for bigger roles for communication satellites in the country, the minister posited that the satellite will certainly make a difference, stressing that when it is eventually launched, good news awaits Nigerians in broadband internet connectivity, improved network transmission and coverage.Just like the sister satellite, NigerSat, which was recently launched, by the Nigeria Air Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Johnson said indeed, NigComSat-IR will domesticate broadband services by curtailing capital flight which stood at about $500 million yearly.According to her, with support from well meaning private sectors and government determination, the country's ICT landscape can be improved upon greatly.Buttressing the importance to be attached to Communications satellites in the country for the digital transformation agenda, the, Director General, NigeriaBroadcasting Corporation, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa said the development from analogue to digital is by far the most fundamental precondition for any other technological changes we have witnessed in recent years.Bolarinwa noted that digitization enables the integration of different services in the same network and enables synergy to be reaped in the whole value chain of service- production, distribution and consumption.Furthermore, he said digitization enables expansion of resources in the access and core networks in a technical and cost efficient way, adding that satellite transmission is a critical factor in this development.The NBC DG in a paper titled: 'Future trends in broadcast technology', noted that, the global broadcasting industry is currently undergoing some dramatic changes, adding that broadcast content, both radio and television traditionally has been distributed through specific and limited distribution paths.This, he said, started with linear programmes on terrestrial systems, cable, microwave and satellite distribution followed and, more recently, IPTV.While stressing the importance of convergence of technology in the emerging technology space, Bolarinwa said the term convergence is easily understood by consumers and has the added interest of reflecting a wider struggle between computer, telecommunications and broadcasting industries for the control of future markets.'Perhaps the most important impact of digitization on Broadcasting is the phenomenon of convergence. This is part of a broader trend of technology change that is blurring the distinction between all sectors in communications industry: the telecommunications, the Internet, and broadcast services. Now, broadcast contents can be reduced to the same digital codes as other forms of communication', he stated.On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NigComSat Ltd, Dr. Timansaniyu Ahmed-Rufai stressed that NigComSat-1R, which is billed for launch in December, would provide coverage over Africa, the Middle East, Europe and parts of Asia; thus improving communication access which will force down the cost of telecommunications in the country especially in the area of internet and GSM communication.He said digital links, through the use of data compression, generally have more efficient bandwidth usage than analog links, which allows a content provider more room to provide services, or a higher-quality signal than had been previously available.Rufai said one of the major advantages of Satellite Bandwidth, whether it is for television or Internet use, is the fact that you can set up and receive a signal from any location and with quality reception.'This technology allows for a two way signal that bounces off the satellite and therefore is not regulated in anyway by the phone provider, having a phone line, or the existence of cables. Another advantage of bandwidth is that the signal strength and speed is constant. Also the service is affordable.'The uses of Communication Satellite cannot be overemphasized. It is used in Telecommunications, Broadcasting, Internet and Multimedia, Real Time Monitoring Services and lots more', he stated.Explaining the roles to be played by NigComSat-1R, he said: 'NigComSat-1R is a bend pipe satellite that has a wide area of coverage, provides higher bandwidth, has a long life span and is best for broadcasting and multicasting. The launch of NigComSat-1R will ensure that Nigerians have access to quality communication without necessarily paying exorbitant fees for the opportunity and redress the long term damage to the Nigerian broadcasting environment created by years of technological dumping and inconsistent approach to signal and content distribution by practitioners.'NigComSat-1R, he said, would play significant roles, including actualising the cashless society being proposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), the rural telephony project of the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), and e-voting project of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).He added that NigComSat-1R intends to foster the growth of the broadcasting industry, and act as an Internet back- bone. According to him, Internet Service Providers (ISP's) can buy data on a complete bundle to be transmitted through NigComSat-1R.Furthermore, the successful launch of the Satellite will allow broadcasters concentrate on the provision of quality content in order to realize maximum revenue, adding that the launch of NigComSat-1R will serve as an open door to attract foreign investors as it will help to showcase the untapped Nigerian cultural resources which will in the long run increase its foreign direct investment thereby generating revenue for the Government.
Click here to read full news..
