General News
How Satellite Internet Could Weather Future Disasters
Greg Wyler, founder of the OneWeb satellite venture has said that his mission is to bring affordable Internet services to the entire globe — and that also means beefing up the connectivity for the first responders and survivors facing deadly disasters like Cyclone Pam.
That powerful storm ripped through the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu this week, leaving widespread death and destruction in its wake.
Responding to the disaster has been difficult in part because the cyclone wiped out communication links. And that’s where satellite-based connectivity could be a life-saver, said Greg Wyler, OneWeb founder and CEO.
“Communications can come with the people servicing the area,” Wyler told NBC News on Monday. “They can bring their own infrastructure. You can enable people on the ground who already have a communication device to become part of the solution.”
OneWeb is just one of several ventures that hope to start delivering Internet and mobile services via satellite sometime in the next few years. But if Wyler’s venture stays on track, it could be one of the first to make it to the marketplace. He said the current schedule calls for launches to begin in 2017, with network activation in 2019.
The initial plan calls for a constellation of about 650 small satellites to be put into orbit, providing global data services at speeds of 50 megabits per second or faster. Wyler estimated the cost for the first phase of the venture at around $2 billion.
Some of the logistics for the network still have to be worked out — but many of OneWeb’s partnerships already have been put into place:
Virgin Galactic, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, will provide launch services. Wyler said other launchers would be used as well.
Qualcomm, a leader in wireless products and services, is working on the hardware.
Honeywell Aerospace said this month that it would provide aircraft equipment and airtime services for OneWeb’s network.
Rockwell Collins announced on Monday that it would work with OneWeb on satellite communication terminals for aircraft.
Wyler foresees a time when emergency teams could bring the Internet and phone services to the scene of a disaster on their helicopters, airplanes and trucks.
“The first responders in that environment would have mobile networks running regardless of the situation,” he said. “And for users on the ground, their cellphones and smartphones would still work to the extent that it was allowed. … We can change those survivors into supporters.”
OneWeb is planning to produce multi-user Internet terminals that could be installed on the roof of a home or school, as shown in this photo. Such terminals would be solar-powered, with a price tag in the range of $250, OneWeb founder Greg Wyler says.
Emergency response is just one of the potential applications for OneWeb, Wyler said. He envisions having terminals installed on commercial jets and private airplanes, in homes and in schools — and not just for the developed world, but also for the estimated 4 billion people who don’t have Internet access today.
OneWeb’s objective is to offer multi-user satellite terminals for less than $250, and work out deals with telecom providers to bring Internet services within reach of potential users in the developing world.
“Our mission is to enable affordable access for everyone,” Wyler said.
Airline travelers could benefit as well. Today’s in-flight networks generally put limits on streaming video or other high-bandwidth services, but Wyler said OneWeb’s aircraft terminals would change the equation.
This artist’s conception shows a compact Internet terminal installed on the roof of a Beechcraft airplane.
“This will allow an [Airbus] A380 to stream Netflix anywhere in the world,” Wyler said. “We are solving a big problem for emerging markets, which is literally half the world, and the other half is connected only intermittently.”
He acknowledged that other ventures — including SpaceX and Outernet — are also planning to offer satellite Internet services. But he doesn’t see them as threats.
“It’s best not to look at things in terms of being competitive, because the market is so large,” he said. “No one will solve 100 percent of the need. We’re really just making dents in the market.”
Wyler is delivering a keynote address at the Satellite 2015 conference in Washington on Tuesday.
Mrs Yetunde Ilori, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), has commended the innovative and technology-driven solutions presented during the institute’s maiden Insurance Week Hackathon competition.
Ilori gave the commendation after the completion of the competition on Thursday in Lagos, held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management in Asese, Ogun, as part of the Insurance Week organised by the CIIN.
She described the solutions as crucial to the industry’s transformation and relevance in the digital age. “This shows that the future is bright for the Nigerian insurance industry.
We are transforming as an industry, and digital innovation is at the heart of that transformation,” Ilori said. She noted that 19 teams initially applied for the competition, but only six were shortlisted.
The competition, which targeted young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 29, engaged six finalist teams over a fourweek intensive innovation process, culminating in a demo day on Wednesday in Lagos.
The hackathon focused on real-world challenges in the sector, such as inclusive insurance, fraud detection, risk management, and improving customer experience.
It was designed to cultivate the next generation of insurance innovators, deepen insurance awareness, and promote financial literacy among Nigerians.
The teams that participated in the final stage of the competition were: Ifokanbale, Insurbridge, Insurvate, Team Aegis, Team Phoenix, and The Assured Team. Team Aegis developed “Hustle Guard,” a microinsurance solution for tricycle drivers covering health, life, and income, in an effort to demystify micro insurance in Nigeria.
The Assured Team presented “Kolo Plus by Card,” an unstructured savings plan with payment and interest features tailored to low-income earners. Team Insurbridge created “Smarter Claims,” a solution aimed at improving the insurance claims process.
Team Phoenix introduced “HerShield,” a solution focused on empowering women and building trust in the insurance sector. The Assured Team also developed additional ideas to drive insurance penetration in underserved and informal communities.
After an engaging pitch session before a panel of judges, Team Insurvate emerged as the overall winner with its solution, “Claim Central”, an end-to-end digital platform designed to streamline the insurance claims process from policyholders to insurers.
Team Aegis secured second place, while Team Phoenix came in third. The panel of judges included financial sector experts such as Norah Igwe, Tunji Andrews, Diana Mulili, Sakeenat Bakare, Ibraheem Babalola, and Prince Adeshina Adeyemi-Doro.
Also speaking, Mr Eddie Efekoha, Chairman of the Insurance Week, said the hackathon demonstrated a conscious effort to explore how technology can help distribute insurance products to all parts of the country.
“We believe this initiative will spark more interest among the youth to engage with insurance, not just as consumers but as creators and innovators,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Mr Odunayo Ojeremi, leader of Team Insurvate, described the competition as highly competitive and rewarding. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity.
“We didn’t expect to win, but we are glad our solution was recognised. We hope to improve ‘Claim Central’ and make it a platform that ensures seamless claims processing,” he said.
Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, is set to officially launch its operations today Monday, July 7, 2025. The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries, according to a statement from the airline.
Dr Obi Ozor, Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, said Enugu Air is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transportation system, aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets, from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
The airline’s inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular operation connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ozor said, “With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally.”
The launch of Enugu Air is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria, providing more options for air travel and promoting economic development in the region.
With its modern fleet and strategic routes, Enugu Air is set to revolutionize air travel in Nigeria and establish Enugu as a major player in the country’s aviation sector.
In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
NIPOST to Crack Down on Criminal Courier Operators
DICON, Saudi Firm to Produce Drones, Satellites in Nigeria
Secret Service Seizes $400M in Crypto, Cold Wallet among World’s Largest
FG Says No Going Back to Nuclear Testing
Nnamani, CEO Digital Realty Nigeria Bags Digital Economy Icon of the Year @ Digital Innovation Awards in Ghana
Telecom2 days agoY’ello Care’s 21-Day Campaign Bridges Digital Divide for Thousands Nationwide
General News2 days agoEnugu Air Commences Operations Today
E-Business2 days agoGalaxy Backbone, Rural Electrification Agency Commit to Deepening Digital and Energy Access Across Nigeria
Broadcasting2 days agoNDPC Slaps Multichoice with ₦766M Fine for Data Privacy Violations
News2 days agoLagos-Calabar Highway Gets $100M Push from ECOWAS to Drive Regional Growth
Telecom2 days ago20 Years of Digital Leadership: Layer3’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
News2 days agoNBS May Release Rebased Figures for Nigerian Economy July 11
Telecom20 hours agoNCC Wins Global ICT Award for Digital Awareness in Schools