In a bid to increase broadband penetration in Nigeria, NIGCOMSAT plans to deploy its NigComSat-1R through the facilities of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to boost broadband penetration, the agency’s head of media, Mr. Stephen Kwande stated recently in Abuja.
“In a bid to further expand the broadband penetration in the country, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd and the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) have set in motion efforts to ensure that broadband penetration in the country is achieved through the deployment of NigComSat-1R services while using the NIPOST infrastructure all over the country”, he stated in a press statement.
“This development came on the heels of a top management level meeting held recently between the two agencies, all under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Communications at the corporate headquarters of NIPOST.
‘’Amongst the areas of collaborations are the federal government policy on broadband penetration which is expected to propel the broadband access seamlessly through NIPOST infrastructure spread all over the country to ensure its success.”
Kwande said that the collaboration is expected to enhance the federal government inclusive services such as cash-on-point, cash-based disbursement in remote areas in the six geo-political zones.
He added that NIGCOMSAT is expected to provide communication link especially to the underserved areas where broadband penetration can be deepened, adding that it is estimated that on monthly basis, over N2 billion is expected to be disbursed using NIPOST platform all over the country to achieve this purpose.
The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT limited, Abimbola Alale, who was said to have led other top management to the meeting, emphasised that the broadband penetration initiative of the federal government should effectively use NIPOST believing that reaching the rural populace can be achieved through this renewed efforts.
Abimbola re-echoed the federal government’s commitment in ensuring that the rural and underserved populace feel the efforts and presence of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government towards impacting positively to the whole populace using broadband and connectivity.
Responding, the Post Master General of the Federation, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi, was quoted as welcoming the renewed efforts toward achieving a people based project.
Adegbuyi explained that NIPOST had massive national infrastructure in the country and promise that with the new project, ‘there is no place that cannot be covered, urging the two agencies to work the talk.”