AT about 4.00 p.m. today, Nigeria's Communication Satellite (NigComSat-1R) will leave the LM-3B launch vehicle in China with rocket speed and move into orbit from where it is expected to change the face of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria.NigComSat-1R is a replacement satellite for NigComSat-1 Satellite.The Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat Ltd) described the satellite as a critical ICT backbone infrastructure to drive the national ICT revolution in providing revenue diversification for the nation and offering cost effective solution and affordable access to meet Nigeria's telecommunications, broadcast, aviation, maritime, defense and security needs.Managing Director of NigComSat Ltd, Ahmed Rufai, stressed: 'NigComsat-1R has the same features as NigComSat-1, with modifications on the payload aimed at addressing domestic and international market needs. It is a super hybrid, high power, quad band geo-stationary satellite, which will provide optimal and cost effective voice, data, video, internet and application services solutions.'With a long service life of 15 years, NigComSat-1R is built on a hybrid satellite with radiation-hardened technology, high reliability,onboard software re-programmable ability, fault tolerance, redundant components and highefficiency.Some of the acclaimed features of the space craft include: stronger footprints and centre beams over Africa; better look angles and shorter latency for intra Africa communication traffic;more powerful signal strength; increased reliability and availability of Ku-band due to adequate fade margin compensation for attenuation losses by rain; reduced cost of deployment for VSAT installations through acquisition ofsmaller equipment.Others are availability of Ka band for broadband services at lower cost arising from the frequency re-usetechniques, competitively priced transmission capacity, small antennas and reduced terminal prices.The communication payload comprises 40 transponders, 28 active and 12 redundant.
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