Nigeria is embracing satellite-to-phone service for 50% 5G coverage by 2030

In its continued effort to bring more Nigerians online and bridge the internet connectivity gap, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is leveraging direct satellite-to-phone service as a key driver of its goals.

As contained in the Commission’s newly released Spectrum Roadmap for 2026 – 2030, Nigeria is targeting inclusive, high-speed broadband access across urban and rural areas nationwide. 

Among a series of strategies to achieve the all-encompassing digital innovation growth is the emerging satellite-to-phone service. 

Recall that Elon Musk’s Starlink has signed deals with telecoms companies to deploy its satellite services directly to phones. Although the project with Airtel Kenya is still under review by government authorities over possible competition threats.

However, direct satellite-to-phone service allows access to uninterrupted internet, where telecom sites that malfunction are difficult to reach. It would also strengthen network resilience by serving as a fallback during fibre cuts, power outages, or emergencies that disrupt mobile networks.

Notably, direct satellite-to-phone has been identified as a major spring to bridge the digital divide and connect rural areas. With this innovation, Nigeria’s 5G-network has been projected to increase from the present 13% to 50% coverage by 2030. 

Nigeria’s broadband system is expected to reach a measurable transformation within the next 4-5 years. With this, D2C is identified to complement terrestrial mobile networks and other infrastructural upgrades by telecom operators.

The roadmap also recognised Satellite internet service as a key driver of inclusive internet usage growth in Nigeria.

“Our objectives will focus on enhancing the role of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, to provide high-speed internet in the most remote locations, bridging the connectivity gap for millions of Nigerians who currently lack reliable broadband,” part of the framework reads 

Project Bridge, Nigeria’s 90,000km fibre backbone that’s set to strengthen broadband connectivity, will be pivotal to the ambition. The initiative recently received an additional $100 million in backing from the European Bank, with total funding received now standing at $600 million.

In addition to the 5G coverage target, Nigeria’s active internet users are expected to reach about 200 million by 2030. This will be complemented by an expected average mobile data consumption per user growth from 8.5GB to 17.7GB, while total annual traffic is projected to shift from 14.8 million terabytes to 37 million terabytes.

With a target of 96% coverage, the 4G network is also tasked to boost internet penetration and bring more Nigerians online.

Also Read: 83.2% of Nigerian phone users are internet subscribers – NCC data.

Satellite-to-phone presents new spectrum roadmap for Nigeria’s internet subscribers’ growth

In its explanation, NCC has noted that the spectrum roadmap for 2026 – 2030 answers the question of how Nigeria wants to accommodate the growing number of both telecom and internet subscribers. 

Such inquiries range from spectrum expansion, infrastructural upgrade, granting licenses to more players and other government intervention plans.

A 15.8% growth in per-user data consumption means that Nigeria needs to expand its spectrum. For this reason, the roadmap has signalled the need to expand total assignable spectrum to international mobile telecommunications (IMT) from the current 1.07 GHz to a total of about 3.8 GHz by 2030.

While the plans look attractive on paper, challenges persist. This includes vandalism, acquisition of a spectrum license and high operational costs. 

In response, NCC has promised a flexible spectrum licensing process that is also cost-effective for telcos to expand their network to accommodate more users.  While infrastructure investment is a leading barrier, the Commission promised to advocate for innovative business models that lower both capital and operating expenditures. 

While acknowledging the cost of deploying broadband networks in rural areas, NCC said the target is similar, and that it will make an effort to “explore and adopt alternative technologies that will lower the total cost of ownership for rural broadband infrastructure.”

The latest industry update brings a positive impact towards the set target.

As of January 2026, the NCC’s data shows that 83.2% of Nigerian phone users are connected to the internet, meaning that for every 100 phone users in Nigeria, about 83 of them are connected to the internet.

During the month, internet subscribers increased by 2.3% to 151.6 million, while total telecoms subscribers now stood at 182.2 million from 179.6 million in December 2025.  

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