Two positive announcements for Nigerian connectivity have made headlines in the past week – one from pan-African operator Airtel Africa’s recently established fibre unit, Telesonic, and one from Hotspot Network Limited, a leading last-mile connectivity and telecom tower operator in Nigeria.
Telesonic has been granted three telecom licences by the Nigeria Communication Commision (NCC). The Techpoint Africa news service explains that the National Long Distance licence, valid for 20 years, will enable Telesonic to offer long-distance telecommunication services within Nigeria, allowing the company to establish and maintain the necessary infrastructure for connecting calls and data across different parts of the country.
However, the licence does not permit the holder to offer international long-distance services or function as an internet access provider directly to end users.
The Internet Service Provider licence, valid for five years, will enable the company to offer internet services to customers and establish and operate its own independent network for delivering these services.
The Sales & Installation Major licence, also valid for five years, allows Telesonic to engage in the sale, installation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
All three licenses are effective from 1 July this year. Airtel Africa announced the launch of Telesonic in February 2024.
A week before this announcement, Hotspot Network and Solarkiosk Solutions, a provider of off-grid solar energy access, entered into a joint venture (JV) to implement energy and connectivity solutions in rural Nigerian communities.
The Hotspot-Solarkiosk JV is established both as an Energy Service Company (ESCO) and an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art technology solutions and services for connectivity and solar energy in Nigeria.
The first focus will be on providing solar energy for Hotspot´s telecom tower network to enhance internet access and connectivity in remote Nigerian villages, as well as implementing Solarkiosk’s proprietary E-HUBB technology, which leverages solar power to distribute essential goods and services to underserved communities.
The joint venture will use proprietary remote monitoring and remote control, and IT technology to ensure seamless operations and enhanced service delivery. E-HUBB will serve as a platform for introducing telecommunication and solar products and services to rural markets.
The JV will also reportedly offer innovative energy solutions to private sector and government clients in Nigeria, addressing the increasing demand for renewable energy amid rising energy prices.