NCC Backs Satellite Direct-to-Device Connectivity to Bridge Nigeria’s 23.3 Million Connectivity Gap

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is advancing plans to introduce Satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity to address persistent network coverage gaps affecting about 23.3 million Nigerians. According to a consultation paper published by the Commission, the initiative is driven by findings from its 2024 cluster gap study, which identified 87 underserved clusters nationwide.

The NCC says recent advances in satellite and non-terrestrial network technologies now allow standard mobile devices to connect directly to satellites, offering a viable solution where terrestrial infrastructure is costly, insecure, or impractical. The regulator is seeking industry input on use cases, technology models, spectrum requirements, and consumer protection considerations as it prepares a regulatory framework for D2D services.

This move aligns with Nigeria’s draft Spectrum Roadmap (2025–2030) and global regulatory discussions at the ITU ahead of WRC-27, positioning satellite connectivity as a critical complement to mobile networks in achieving universal access.