Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Partners Interra Network to Connect S/East and S/South with STORM ISP
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Interra Networks have officially launched an Internet Service Provider, codenamed STORM.ng, for the benefit of the South East and South South regions of the country.
The project, under the Nigeria National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) Phase I, was launched in Enugu State on Tuesday.
The GBB and Interra Networks, through STORM, would cover Enugu, Ebonyi, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Awka, Onitsha and Asaba under its national fibre roll out programme.
Dr Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, at the launch of the project expressed delight with the unveiling of STORM as a fibre connectivity and digital services platform powered by GBB, which aligned with the vision of the present administration.
The minister, who joined virtually, explained that STORM would open up massive opportunities for corporates, small businesses and for homes looking to improve the quality of internet services in those regions.
“I would like to congratulate Galaxy Backbone and its project partners for achieving this great feat, which will provide fast and efficient delivery of Internet and hosting services for the South-East and South-South regions.
“Since 2019, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has championed the country’s digital transformation agenda in efforts to position it as one of the leading Digital Economies in the world.
“To achieve this aim, we developed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) (2020-2030) with the clear vision ‘to transform Nigeria into a leading Digital Economy providing quality life and digital economies for all.”
He said the mission was “to build a nation where digital innovation and entrepreneurship are used to create value and prosperity for all.”
He, however recalled that STORM initiative was in line with the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria (2020 – 2030).
Pantami added that STORM was a significant milestone in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to accelerate broadband penetration across cities and underserved communities in the country.
He expressed optimism that Digital Services would expand and strengthen development since Nigeria was endowed with enormous potential.
He congratulated GBB and Interra Network teams for putting the launch in place and urged them to work together in order to ensure wealth and prosperity was expanded in the nation.
“In particular, it supports the implementation of Pillar 3 (the Solid Infrastructure Pillar). It is also in alignment with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020 – 2025).
“Broadband connectivity plays a major role in the economic fortunes of countries around the world.
“A 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration can lead to growth in Gross Domestic Product in the region of 0.6 per cent to 2.8 per cent.
“Furthermore, the use of broadband technology goes beyond facilitating socialisation.
“Rather, it supports key sectors of the economy, such as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“These enterprises are a critical part of the Nigerian economy and broadband access enables them to extend their services beyond their physical locations through the use of e-commerce platforms.
“It will support government’s effort in meeting the target of the NNBP, which aims to achieve a 90 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.
“Through platforms like STORM, we are extending the provision of internet services beyond major cities in the country, thereby deepening broadband penetration across the country to overcome the existing digital divide,” he said.
Recall that Galaxy Backbone had deployed fibre optics to 17 major cities across the federation under the first phase of NICTIB.
Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, managing director of GBB, said the plan to launch the project in year 2020 was aborted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abubakar, who also joined virtually, expressed optimism that with the official launch of STORM, GBB and Interra Networks were ready to unleash broadband services to organisations and homes in South East and South South.
He informed that STORM would bridge the notable gaps in the market in terms of reliable internet service.
According to him, change is the only constant thing in life and as people living in a fast changing digital world, I am sure you all know how important it is to ensure we embrace change,
“So, that we are not left behind at the speed of light transformations taking place all around us.
“We are confident that by making fast and reliable internet services available in urban and rural communities, greater number of job opportunities will emanate and we can lift more people out of poverty.
“History has shown that in every major pandemic, one or two sectors begin to thrive and lead to the transformation of the lives of entire communities and indeed the world.
“In this case, Digital Technology has taken centre stage, especially in Nigeria, where we have observed its great contributions to the GDP of our country in the last quarter of the year 2020.
“We are not unmindful of the strides recorded by most of our competitors in this industry.
“We are confident that the broadband internet connectivity and hosting service being offered by STORM will lead to an experience that you will find efficient, reliable and with great support.”
Speaking on ‘”Partnering to Serve: The Storm Value Proposition”, Mr David Onu, president, Interra Networks, , said that the service would enable greater youth participation in technology and digital economy drive.
According to Onu, ICT is considered to be the new oil worldwide and it is very interesting to see that just 15 years ago, the top six companies were oil companies.
“Today, those companies are no more in the top 10. The only one that has broken the top 10 record is the Exxon Mobil.
“And you ask yourself what has made it so. What have made it so are the IT services and data.
“It is something interesting, taken away from the corporate world and countries that were considered to belong to the third world 20 years ago.
“It is interesting to see how they have erased their poverty index; by empowering people, creating jobs and creating wealth.”
He, however bemoaned the misnomer in Nigeria, which was excessive reliance on natural resources, adding that the biggest strength had been intellectual resources.
“What has been going on today in the country is that silent revolution and it will soon take the country by storm with the engagement of our young people in technology.
“We hear of our young people getting investments from companies outside the country to expand; we hear of services that are being used Africa-wide and worldwide and we haven’t even started.
He hinged the launch of STORM on the harnessing of the capacity of young people and businesses in the regions to boost the economy.
Dignitaries present at the event included: Mr Osita Chidoka, former minister of Aviation; Sir Carl Obi Kama, commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Science and Technology; Prof. Boniface Nworgu, commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Science and Technology.
Others were Rocky Ighoyota, director of ICT, Delta State Ministry of Science and Technology; Abdul-Malik Suleiman, group head, Regional Offices, Galaxy Backbone; Tope Dele-Oni, head, Regional Business & Operations, Galaxy Backbone (Lagos and South West), among others.
The traditional ground-based cellular towers may start dying by instalment in the next two years, due largely to Elon Musk’s SpaceX of acquisition of mobile frequencies of EchoStar, a US based firm for $17 billion.
Subject to affordability and availability, the move could be disruptive as it is intended to accelerate the development of “direct-to-cell” technology, which enables mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without relying on ground-based cellular towers.
Cell Phone Towers (also called Base Stations), have electronic equipment and antennas that send and receive signals to and from cell phones.
Antennas may be attached to free-standing towers or structures or may be mounted on non-tower structures such as building rooftops, billboards or church steeples.
But the Direct-to-Cell technology, primarily driven by Starlink, allows smartphones and IoT devices to communicate directly with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional cell towers, enabling connectivity in areas where cellular service is limited or non-existent.
The technology is designed to work with existing LTE and 5G smartphones, requiring no additional hardware or applications.
According to Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX, “In this next chapter […] SpaceX will develop next generation Starlink Direct to Cell satellites, which will have a step change in performance and enable us to enhance coverage for customers wherever they are in the world.”
Shotwell, added that the first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities have already connected millions of people in critical moments—during natural disasters, to reach emergency services or loved ones, or when they were off-grid.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) are working closely to explore new ways of building innovations and technology, using the expertise and skills of Nigerians living in the diaspora, as well as those at home.
L-R: Special Assistant to the EVC on Foreign Relations, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru; Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu and another official of NIDCOM during the visit yesterday.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu and the Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during a strategic meeting at NIDCOM headquarters described this collaboration as a “timely intervention”, noting that it will help connect Nigeria’s local innovators with scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs in the Diaspora.
Mr. Halilu, highlighted NASENI’s key projects, including Revolut, a payment platform already serving thousands of Nigerians with low-cost, real-time transfers; the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme, which funds Nigerian scientists and innovators, both in home and diaspora; and Delta-2, a partnership with the Czech Republic entering its third phase this September to bring new technology and international collaboration to Nigeria.
Halilu said his visit to NiDCOM was to present two key projects: a government-backed payment platform, similar to Revolut, designed to be seamless, flexible, multi-currency, and to provide real-time monitoring at affordable rates, while the second project aims to engage Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to develop practical projects that can grow the economy.
While commending Dabiri-Erewa, the NASENI CEO added that NiDCOM’s database of professionals would play an essential role towards this course.
She asserted that the partnership will foster opportunities for Nigerians everywhere to work together for Nigeria’s progress; through sharing ideas, skills, and experiences that can help build a stronger, more innovative Nigeria, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dabiri-Erewa lauded the works done by the Agency. She assured that the Commission will give them the relevant support needed, while suggesting the NASENI team to participate at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment it (NDIS), to be held from November 11-13, 2025 in Abuja.
Both NiDCOM and NASENI also agreed to set up a joint working committee to streamline areas of collaboration and design projects focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), alongside wider Diaspora engagement.
Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), has reported that reverting to market-driven pricing in the industry has attracted about $1 billion new telecoms infrastructure investments in Nigeria in 2025.
Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the commission, stated this in an interactive session with journalists recently.
Dr Maida noted that the decision has restored investors’ confidence and reversed years of under investment that witnessed the slow network expansion and service quality improvement.
He said that as at June 2025, operators were already receiving new equipment ordered and that upgrades and new site construction underway, noting that the fresh investments will boost capacity, improve service quality and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global telecom space.
According to Maida, the move has made one operator, who has not invested a single Kobo on network upgrade over the last three years, to start doing something in that direction.
He explained that when the NCC issued licences for the provision of services on the fifth generation (5G) technology, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Mafab Communications, all underestimated the huge challenges in the industry when they promised nationwide rollout of the services.
The NCC boss also said that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that got the licences “over-promised” to deliver services to their consumers, without minding challenges in the industry.
He said that the 50 per cent tariff hike for end users of telecom services approved by the NCC to MNOs earlier in the year has started changing the dynamics by stopping the drought in both local and foreign direct investments (FID).
While highlighting why the increase in tariff has failed to translate to improved service quality, Maida explained that such equipment are not what can easily be purchased on the shelf and that some of the equipment are yet to be built by the original equipment manufacturers.
According to him, bringing the equipment into the country will require a process and that the “MNOs would need to book, pay, ship, pay for clearing at the ports, transport to sites, install and commission before customers would start feeling the impact.”
Maida, however, admitted that installing the equipment nationwide will take some time and the installation process, which has already commenced in the North Central zone and Abuja, will soon be extended to other areas gradually.
He disclosed that since the rollout of the technology in Nigeria less than 2000 5G sites have been built across the country, a situation he blamed on a combination of factors, including foreign exchange (forex) issue and difficulty securing land for new cell sites.
On infrastructure protection, he said the NCC was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to design region-specific rapid response frameworks, blending community engagement with civil defence presence to tackle threats such as generator theft, poor security, and local disputes.
Addressing the issue of low local content in the Telecoms industry, Maida stated that only three countries are responsible for the supply of low level software and hardware used and these are China that has Huawei and ZTE; Finland with Nokia and Sweden with Ericsson.
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