Newtec’s VSAT Hub and terminals selected to be part of NIGCOMSAT’s mission to provide cost-effective satellite broadband services to Nigerian consumers and SMEs, with planned services for West Africa

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited has selected satellite specialist Newtec to provide a Ka-band hub platform including terminals to offer B2B and B2C broadband services. The broadband platform will enable optimal and cost effective voice, data, video, Internet and application service solutions over Nigeria via the NigComSat-1R satellite.

NIGCOMSAT Limited, was founded in 2006 by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communication Technology with a mission to become the leading communication satellite operator and service provider in Africa and an aim of leveraging that for the benefit of the nation.

Mr Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, Managing Director and Chief Executive at NIGCOMSAT, said: “High-speed and reliable Internet will transform the economy and lead to more and better opportunities for many individuals. In 2011 we successfully put our own high throughput satellite in the sky and I am pleased to welcome now our new technology partner Newtec. We are teaming-up with Newtec because of its track record of delivering reliable, fast and easy to use satellite solutions at an affordable cost.”

The installation of a first Newtec broadband hub is already complete. NIGCOMSAT plans to operate several thousands of satellite modems within the first year of operation.

Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec, said: “I am delighted to say that our new Ka-band technology will help to close the digital divide in Nigeria by using the latest broadband technologies to achieve the highest broadband experience and availability. Our Newtec MDM2200 Ka-band consumer modem and our MDM3100 enterprise modem enable NIGCOMSAT to provide highly competitive connectivity services, achieving download speeds eventually up to 45Mbps. The self-installation capability and the optimized packaging of our complete Ka-band terminals allow NIGCOMSAT to minimize the logistical and installation costs.”

It is expected that the NigComSat-1R will enable a National ICT revolution in Nigeria by providing cost effective solutions and affordable access to meet Nigeria’s telecommunications, broadcast, aviation, maritime, defense and security needs.

For more information about Newtec’s consumer and business VSAT solutions, visit http://newproducts.newtec.eu/new-products/application/consumer-and-business-vsat.