General News
Inmarsat Plans Free Flight-Tracking for Airline Safety
Inmarsat, a mobile satellite communications provider, said it will offer basic, two-way communications services to track commercial airline flights free of charge in an effort to improve passenger-jet safety following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370).
In a matter of months Inmarsat also plans to offer an enhanced, fee-based aircraft-tracking service to airlines, as well as streaming black-box data capabilities aimed at avoiding the high cost of protracted aircraft search and rescue efforts.
In a presentation to a conference on aircraft tracking hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal recently, Inmarsat said it could provide the basic free service immediately over its existing L-band satellite network as part of the anticipated adoption of further aviation safety service measures by the world’s airlines following the loss of MH370 in March.
“We’re looking for them to adopt this offer as a commitment to an evolution for the safety of the air transport industry,” Rupert Pearce, chief executive officer of the Company said.
He added that the Company has a very close working relationship with all the major regulators, and “we want to take these proposals and see if they will provide what is necessary to implement this very quickly.”
In the near-term, the proposal entails a low-tech fix that would increase the frequency of Inmarsat network transmissions with roughly 80% of the world’s commercial long-haul fleet through its Classic aeronautical service, and Swift Broadband which already serves some 5,000 aircraft and which is being installed on new planes at the rate of about 500 per month.
The satellite transmissions or “pings” would check in with planes every 15 minutes, rather than every hour.
In addition, the aircraft’s response would be enhanced to include positional GPS data, such as speed, direction and altitude in the process.
Beyond the basic free service, Pearce said Inmarsat is planning to invest “some millions of dollars” of its own money to improve its network and implement enhanced tracking services and a “black-box-in-the-cloud” capability.
The move comes as one of Inmarsat’s principal competitors, Iridium, is designing a second-generation constellation of low-Earth-orbiting satellites that it hopes will offer a similar service by 2018.
“From a technical perspective, we can make these services available within a very short number of months,” Pearce said, adding that the company’s existing L-band satellite network links to hardware already installed on aircraft worldwide.
Pearce said the fee-based service offering would make enhanced position reporting available to provide more timely information to airlines, delivering data “that will allow aircraft to fly closer together safely, reducing fuel bills and making flying more eco-friendly.”
Another paid service will offer black-box streaming off the aircraft based on certain trigger events.
“This would allow you to reach back to find out what was on the flight data recorder up to the point when you have your event, and then track in real time thereafter and provide situational awareness in the cockpit,” Pearce said.
Following the disappearance of MH370, Inmarsat engineers used data from the Inmarsat 4-F1 commercial communications spacecraft to assist in the search, though Pearce said the satellite pings and handshakes on which the company’s analysis was based were simply “our network talking to our network.”
He said, it was “pure luck and happenstance that we were able to use that in the case of MH370 to come up with some approximation of where the aircraft flew and where it might be now.”
With the proposed flight-tracking service, Pearce said Inmarsat would use its scalable two-way global broadband network to improve upon even next-generation Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities.
“We don’t think broadcast-only is the way to go, because when the dot disappears from your network, you have no idea why, and you have to go to different systems and services to talk to the cockpit,” he said. “But with Inmarsat, already you have the scalable capability to move to two-way communications to get rich situational awareness and start to take action. We already have the global network, and our services are to safety standard, partly because we’ve been providing them to the aviation industry for more than 20 years.”
For all three services, Pearce said no additional equipment is necessary.
Federal government has launched Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.), a new consumer credit initiative, to provide affordable financing for locally assembled laptops and other digital devices.
L-R: Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, and Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, at the launch
The initiative by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is aimed at equipping Nigerians with the tools needed to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
During the launch, Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described access to credit as critical to improving productivity and driving economic growth.
Dr Tijani said no nation could achieve sustainable development without a strong credit system that enables individuals and businesses to access resources needed to become more productive.
He noted that in today’s digital age, technology has become indispensable for education, innovation and wealth creation.
The minister explained that many talented young Nigerians possess the skills required to succeed in the digital economy but remain constrained by their inability to own computers and other digital tools.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr Tijani recalled how his first laptop as a student in the university opened doors to international opportunities and eventually inspired him to establish one of Nigeria’s pioneering technology hubs.
He said the new programme would ensure that more young Nigerians are not denied similar opportunities because of financial barriers.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by expanding access to technology, boosting productivity and supporting local manufacturing.
Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future workforce and digital transformation.
Mr Nwagba said that while improvements in internet connectivity and digital skills training have positioned Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, access to devices remains a major challenge preventing many young people from fully participating in the digital economy.
He explained that C.L.I.C.K.D. would bridge that gap by providing affordable consumer credit that enables beneficiaries to acquire laptops and other internet-enabled devices while they develop in-demand digital skills
Federal Government has announced the disbursement of about N333 billion to eight electricity generation companies (GenCos) as part of measures to resolve outstanding debts in the power sector.
The government also disclosed the issuance of a second bond valued at N729 billion to settle verified legacy obligations and improve liquidity within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The disclosures were made on Tuesday at an investors’ forum organised by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc in Abuja.
Government representatives said the latest bond issuance marked the completion of the initial phase of the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, which was designed to address verified liabilities and attract private sector investment across the electricity value chain.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, said the implementation of the first series of the programme demonstrated the administration’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations and improving investor confidence.
Verheijen disclosed that the Federal Government in February 2026 allocated about N501 billion under the first tranche of the programme, comprising N300 billion in cash and N201 billion in non-cash bond instruments to offset verified debts owed to power producers.
She said N333 billion had so far been disbursed to eight participating GenCos operating 17 power plants.
According to her, the government also paid the first coupon of about N63.5 billion on the seven-year bond in full on July 14, 2026.
She explained that the payments had enabled generation companies to meet critical obligations to gas suppliers, lenders and operations and maintenance contractors, thereby improving their operational capacity.
“Markets do not reward promises; they reward performance. Capital follows credibility,” Verheijen said.
She added that the second bond series would further strengthen liquidity in the electricity market and create a more stable financial environment capable of attracting long-term private investment.
The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme is part of broader Federal Government efforts to address challenges affecting electricity generation, distribution and investment in Nigeria’s power sector.
Federal government has launched a N482.4 million investment fund to support 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups.
The initiative under the federal government of Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme was implemented by the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The initiative in a statement said applications have been opened for Growth Lab, a 12-week acceleration programme that will select the 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups, from the six geopolitical zones, for intensive growth support, investment readiness training, and access to up to $350,000 in funding.
According to Ife Adebayo, national coordinator of the Programme, growth lab was designed to support startups that have achieved early traction and are seeking the expertise, networks, and investment required to scale following the implementation of Founders Lab.
“Growth Lab is the Startup Bridge accelerator programme, designed for startups that have developed an MVP and require structured support to scale. The programme focuses on strengthening venture fundamentals and preparing companies for external investment.
“The programme targets startup founders who are seeking the support, networks, expertise, and investment readiness required to accelerate growth and strengthen their position within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem,” he said.
He added that selected founders will gain access to structured growth support, investment readiness preparation, access to industry experts, market expansion pathways, a $100,000 cash investment (or Naira equivalent) for 7.5% equity upon entering the programme (terms and conditions apply), and up to $250,000 in potential follow-on investment should certain growth conditions be met.
“Eligible startups must be at the post-MVP stage, demonstrate evidence of market validation through users, customers, pilots, partnerships, waitlists or any other demand signals, and be willing to participate fully in the hybrid programme,” he said.
The programme will run as an intensive 12-week hybrid experience, including virtual engagements and two physical weeks in Lagos focused on collaboration, learning, and business growth.
The statement said applications opened on July 15, 2026, and will close on August 19, 2026.
According to him, female founders are strongly encouraged to apply. Selection will be conducted through a clearly defined, merit-based evaluation process aligned with published criteria.
iDICE is a $618 million federal government initiative backed by international lenders to boost the technology and creative sectors.
It provides young entrepreneurs with business skills training, mentorship, and access to capital through funds and accelerator programs like the iDICE Startup Bridge.
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