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Avanti and ST iDirect Link Satellite and Land 5G

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Two satellite companies, in the US and UK, have cooperated to integrate a live satellite network into a commercially available 5G core network.

Avanti and ST iDirect Link Satellite and Land 5G

London-based satellite operator Avanti Communications and northern Virginia’s ST Engineering iDirect are working together in the project.

The two companies say satellite technology will prove important in extending 5G service to developing countries, rural areas, and on board ships, aircraft, and trains.

Jane Egerton-Idehen, Avanti’s regional manager in West Africa, has spoken and written about how important integrating satellite and land 5G will be for connecting regions like hers.

She herself grew up in the Ajegunle neighborhood of Lagos, which she describes as an ironically named slum. (Ajegunle, in Yoruba, means “a place where riches dwells.”)

“It takes an ecosystem” to drive 5G in places like Nigeria, with attractively priced connectivity appearing at the same time new applications that use it, she says.

It is a technology the EU has backed, in a public-private SaT5G Project which promotes cross-industry standards for how satellites will communicate with land-based 5G networks.

Stitch-up job

Avanti and iDirect demonstrated their approach to the technology in 2019.

Partnering with the University of Surrey’s 5G Innovation Center and video streaming provider Broadpeak, they showed how 4K video can find the best route at any given moment from a device to the parallel satellite-terrestrial 5G network, by using approaches like bit rate adaptation and layered video streams.

France’s Airbus, Israel’s Gilat satellite networks, and Zodiac aerospace (now part of Safran) showed at the same time how satellite 5G help could provide in-flight entertainment and connectivity to passengers flying at 10,000 meters in an Airbus 320.

Those companies are all part of the SaT5G consortium, which has 16 partners, including BT. Avanti won an €8.3 million (US$9.8 million) contract in 2017 to take the lead in the consortium’s aim at integrating satellite technology seamlessly into future 5G networks.

5G is getting dishy

The test was the first attempt at integrating an unmodified, standard land-based 5G with a live satellite network, and successfully performed several tasks simulating real-life use cases.

Both companies are describing it as a major milestone for the technology.

Want to know more about 5G? Check out our dedicated 5G content channel here on Light Reading.

It validates “benefits for specific use cases that are unlocked by 5G,” said Semir Hassanaly, ST Engineering iDirect’s.

Avanti’s GEO HYLAS-4 satellite, which was launched in 2018, linked to a ground Earth station at Goonhilly in Cornwall, where it then connected with a 5G-enabled ST Engineering iDirect hub.

The mile-high view

Satellite 5G is moving from a slow, unreliable last resort for poorly served developing countries and rural areas, into a more nimble technology that’s better suited for the consumer market.

Older satellites used a single broad beam to cover areas of thousands of kilometers. The newer generation of high-throughput satellites (HTS) use a spot-beam technology, reusing high-frequency bandwidth as needed across multiple narrow spot beams, focused on areas of hundreds of kilometers instead.

And satellite technology is also helped along by advances in launch vehicles, and satellite components growing smaller and more power efficient.

At the same time, more open network architectures make it easier for satellite, wireless and fixed providers to work together.

So users may soon be seeing the benefits, from Ajegunle to the friendly skies.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

This directive was  contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.

The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.

In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.

Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”

The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.

Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.

The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.

The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.

The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.

Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.

Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”


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Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

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Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.

Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.

The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.

The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.

“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.

Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.

 


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GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

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Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.

The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.

GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.

These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.

More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.

As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.

 


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