General News
Gilat Satcom Believes in Connectivity for Everybody- Alex
Alex Petropouliadis is vice president, Sales Africa, Gilat Satcom, the communication solutions provider that offers satellite and fiber-based connectivity solutions in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Petropouliadis joined Gilat Satcom in 2007 as a regional sales director and was appointed VP Sales Africa in 2012.
Prior to joining Gilat Satcom, Petropouliadis worked for Xerox and was part of the management team and has also worked for Creo as a sales director responsible for SADC sales.
Petropouliadis on a recent working visit to Nigeria spoke to peter ugwu on a wide range of issues.
Gilat Satcom’s Mission in Nigeria
Our main target is to become the biggest Internet Service Provider (ISP) Company in the country. I will say Gilat today has become a pan-African company.
What we do as a new strategy is to acquire businesses all over Africa. We are combining them under one brand, which is Gilat.
The idea started about a year ago and became a strategy for the company; since then we have been able to acquire three operations in Zambia, Nigeria and DRC.
Gilat’s core business has always been satellite and we have decided that the core focal area and the strategy should change hence we engage in buying home-grown and developing businesses in Africa.
We have invested about $20 million in West-Indian Ocean Cable Consortium (WIOCC); the biggest investor in the EASSY cable in East Africa.
With this investment, we became a shareholder in WIOCC. Apart from that we also purchased capacity through this organization on the WIOCC cable.
The route is actually a big ring starting from London, going around the continent (Africa). The good news is that we have a full redundancy ring with fibre capacity in Africa.
So, basically we engage in the technologies-satellite, which has always been our world business and we are continuing with it and engage in fiber connectivity.
African Focus
We decided to have local presence in Africa, starting with acquiring local presence. In addition to what we already have, we are finalizing the acquisitions of businesses in Niger and Burkina Faso; by end of 2013, we would have five full operational bases in Africa.
Our people oriented strategies will continue in 2014 with the aim to have seven additional ISPs in Africa.
Of course, we are not going to reach every country in Africa; it all depends on the business case of the country we have mapped out to reach out to, just like some countries in Central Africa.
Nigeria is one of our major targeted markets; here we have commenced 100% operation; today we emphasis on aspects of communication in Nigeria, especially in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
We are planning to have redundant ring connecting the three cities; you can imagine a triangle moving from Lagos to Abuja, there to Port Harcourt and back to Lagos.
The impact would be that when have a cut, we can reroute the traffic back to the customers. By this we are achieving full redundancy.
Secondly, we are part of WACS, we see our customers’ needs and the primary need is redundancy.
So, we are solving the challenges local in the country through the range-rings, but still not limited to one infrastructure so that when one network is down we should not be down as well.
We are actually taking capacity from other vendors like MainOne Cables, Glo 1, integrating them into one system; when a provider goes down, the other one comes up immediately.
The Last-Mile Infrastructure
Basically, we are a carrier of carriers. We sell capacities not directly to the home users.
However, we are introducing a latest technology into the market to mitigate some customers’ related challenges.
We supply capacity to other ISPs, cellular operators, among others. Unless a government office, we would not sell directly to the customer.
I understand there are challenges in the country today, eventually, as more competitors enter the market, more fibers laid, they will be solved.
Many countries in Europe, United States, and other developed countries started exactly the same way Nigeria and other African countries are going today.
The last mile is the problem, but the stakeholders-individuals, corporations and the nation at large will overcome that.
If you are to reach everywhere and reduce the price, then solving the challenge of last-mile is paramount in the process.
Taking the capacity from the shore is very cheap, but extending it to Port Harcourt is very high.
This is the biggest challenge that could be solved with more players coming in; Gilat is not the playing this game per say, we are not laying fiber rather we are adopting other infrastructure.
Gilat’s New Product
We have developed a new product and we are introducing them into the African market.
It is something that will basically give people internet connectivity in a very small modem (box) in a size of 20 meters.
There will be an accompanying dish of about 90 meters (the same used for the DSTV). The modem is able to reach high speed internet uplink through a cellular using the cellular modem (uplink) and downlink via satellite.
Idea behind the Innovation
Today, the market is used to the cellular data spurred by the evolution in mobile devices.
The user experience about how the devices are connected for surfing the internet actually depends on the download, not the upload. For instance, when you want to get CNN online via Google, to cull up the page you are actually uploading a request to the web.
The internet sees it and downloads the site for your usage. The big content and the user experience depend on the downlink.
When you download you have the picture, texts, video, they are actually big contents; so the bigger the bandwidth is the better the user experience.
It makes people happy; saves time, energy, resources and enhances productivity. What we did is to leverage on the issue cellular companies have ingested on their towers and links.
We expect the product to get to every home. Another feature embedded in the product is WiFi, which allows people to share data or connectivity.
The price will be based on consumption level as well. We are segmenting it, because we are not targeting just home users alone; we are creating opportunities for the small and medium enterprises to benefit from it. Gilat will always be on the forefront of innovation in this regard.
Solutions for Banking and Financial Institutions
We have several banks working with us on deploying primary links for redundancy actualization. We are very well known in the industry.
Essentially, we have an iDirect hub in Lagos where any bank can connect for a capacity it can use for any application.
In the mean time, a number of banks are accepting the offer. The hub serves both for regular and private networks. We have invested about $1 million dollars in this hub just to set it up in the neighbourhood.
Crash of Broadband Internet Price in 2014
It is absolutely possible. However, it depends on the market segment the analysts are talking about. If you are talking about the home user, the answer is definitely yes.
For example, the new product we are introducing to the market has reduced price compared to what is already in the market.
For corporate, depending again on where they are located. Like I said earlier, pricing depends, largely, on the last-mile; that is taking the capacity from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and other cities.
As more players enter the market the prices will go down and then the corporate entities will enjoy lower pricing.
The issue will be the time those players will recoup their investment; because if companies after laying fibers and deploying other infrastructure, they could not recoup their investment they will become distressed.
The cost of laying the fibers cost money. Based on the fact that investors are coming into the Nigerian market means it will not be long even the corporate bodies will enjoy bandwidth at reduced prices.
Today, we have Glo1, MainOne Cable, SAT-1, WACS and a new one coming up; the user experience and cost will always get better.
We are talking about terabytes of capacities. It is similar with other markets; when you are growing the prices are usually high, nevertheless more investments brings price down. So, as soon as companies make gains from their investment, new players entering the market, then monopoly has since been eliminated, it will cruise.
Africa and Broadband Ubiquity
I believe, it will not be long, Africa will witness broadband ubiquity. We are all striving towards this initiative.
It is an initiative that Gilat Satcom delights in. We believe that each country and each person should be connected to the world.
There are many challenges in Africa and outside Africa. In each continent there are challenges; Africa has the challenge of the last-mile, US had it, Europe experienced it.
So there may be additional challenge in each country. I truly believe that five years from now, in Africa, there will be full connectivity given the enormous investments going on. If you remember in some African countries, with exception of Nigeria, five years ago, they had not internet and ill-afford it.
They were only the government and big companies that were connected; people had no access to 3G or cellular connectivity, but look at what we have today. And in five years we can compete with other developed countries of the world.
Assessment of Government Policies
I am very satisfied with what the government is doing. I had met with several government officials in Nigeria, discussing on the way forward and I could see the passion and willingness to develop the system, give the people the connectivity they want.
Today, everybody has one smart device or the other looking for connectivity and government is interested on that.
Competition among ISPs
My company’s competition is not with the local ISPs. They are my customers; the people that
I will supply my capacities to.They are the ones to distribute my hybrid product. Although, may be some cases customers may approach Gialt directly, we will define what they want and decide to sell directly to them.
But that will be a fraction of business we are doing now. We are carrier of carriers. We are not deploying directly to homes.
If someone wants a gig of bandwidth I will not sell to him, he has to approach the ISPs. There is an aspect that can raise some concerns because the companies we are carrying also deploy the solutions and that is the beauty of competition. But we are not afraid. As many competitors are there, the better for the market. Our uniqueness will give us an edge in the market.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,
The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.
Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.
He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.
The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.
The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.
However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.
According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.
Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.
He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.
The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.
The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.
Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.
The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.
General News
Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants
About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).
NASENI
The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.
Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.
Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.
According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.
“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.
The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.
She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.
“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.
Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.
She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.
The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.
She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.
The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
General News
NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.
NITRA Conference
The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.
A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.
According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.
“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.
“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.
The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.
According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.
Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.
The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.
“We believe innovation begins from childhood.
“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.
“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.
On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.
The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.
“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.
“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.
“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.
A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.
According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.
“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.
“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.
The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.
Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.
According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.
“Regulation must come with dialogue.
“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.
“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.
On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.
The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.
“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.
“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.
Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.
One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.
“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.
“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.
Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.
“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.
“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.
Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.
He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.
Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.
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