NCC licenses Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide internet service in Nigeria

Nigeria has commissioned Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet platform used by SpaceX, which provides internet satellite access to 32 countries where its use is licensed.

This was posted on Twitter by the richest man in the world, Elon Must with his Twitter handle. Nairametrics also confirmed this with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

Starlink provides high-speed broadband, low latency worldwide. Within each cover area, orders are filled out on a first-come, first-served basis.

The NCC confirms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed to Nairametrics that it has licensed Starlink, a satellite internet platform used by SpaceX, which provides satellite internet access in 32 countries. The licensing follows a visit to Nigeria by the company’s team in May last year.

• “The company has acquired two licenses, including an International Gateway license and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) license, and will operate as a Starlink Internet Services Nigeria Ltd. According to the NCC, the International Gateway license is valid for 10 years and The ISP license is valid for five years. Both licenses are effective from May 2022 and may be renewed after expiration. ” NCC

• Excited Elon Musk took his Twitter handle to announce the development, Nairametrics also confirmed it to the NCC.
  With high speed and low latency like 20 minutes in most places, Starlink enables video calls, online games, streaming, and other high-level data activities that have never been historically available via satellite internet.
  Users also have the option to go with Starlink with the Portability or Starlink feature.
• With high speed and low latency like 20 minutes in most places, Starlink enables video calls, online games, streaming, and other high-level data activities that have never been historically available via satellite internet.
  Users also have the option to go with Starlink with the Portability or Starlink feature.

Starlink tour in Nigeria

In May last year, Starlink Africa Market Marketing Director Africa, Ryan Goodnight and SpaceX consultant Levin Born visited the NCC where they expressed interest in obtaining a license to use satellite internet in the country.

• Prior to the visit, the regulator and aerospace company were discussing the matter before a formal meeting was approved by the NCC.
  What the NCC says in the group

What NCC told the team 

• After SpaceX representatives presented the outline of its plans, expectations, license applications, and referrals, the Deputy Executive Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, represented by the Chief Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, promised them that the NCC will work in the necessary ways to ensure that it balances the need for healthy competition in line with the introduction of new technologies, in order to protect all industry stakeholders.

• Maska had said: “As the most powerful sector regulator in Nigeria, the Commission recognizes the need to ensure that our regulatory actions are based on national interests. “Maska went on to say that the Commission is interested in making the regulatory efforts necessary to advance the provision of rural, neglected, and poorly cared for in the country through the achievement of the goals contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Program, NNBP, 2020-2025.