Telecom

What Makes Satellite Communications an Essential Part of 5G Infrastructure

Published

5 years ago

August 11, 2021

Chike Onwuegbuchi

Kindly share this post

By Andrew Aroh

5G is a technology that will push the boundaries of throughput and capacity further beyond that of 4G to enable newer types of applications and services in the domains of: Health, Transport (Land, Air and Sea), Entertainment, M2M, Security, etc.
5G will lead to a huge shift towards a landscape dominated by wireless connectivity.
5G is accompanied with deployment of Architectures (Fiber +Terrestrials wireless + Satellite leveraging Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) both at the core and edge of the Network. They will provide: increased computing power, scalability, reduced operating costs and business models to enable differentiation
5G will enable instantaneous connectivity to billions of devices, the Internet-of-things (IoTs) and a truly connected world: smart cities, smart homes and smart schools, etc.
The satellite transport conduit will be integrated into the overall available communication map
Service providers will need to provide seamless connectivity between terrestrial and satellite
Traffic will be dynamically steered to the best transport options available (terrestrial/Satellite according to bandwidth, latency, network conditions and other application-specific requirements)
The interworking between terrestrial and satellite is now well recognized and promoted in the 3GPP standards.
Management of the NFV infrastructure will be performed through a management and orchestrator (MANO) Framework
This architecture allows easy integration of multiple applications
A virtual evolved packet core (vEPC) application would extend local call switching possibility.

A Mobile (Multi access) edge computing (MEC) platform could host different application like caching and multicast which can help reduce latency and improve qualify of experience (QoE) for the user.

Full integration within the virtualized architecture will apply to satellite as well, beginning with the network core and then expanding to the edge.
Satellite optimized Quality of service (QoS) and Operational Expense (OPEX) advantage will also remain key as the landscape becomes even more competitive.
New opportunities for extending satellites services in urban and rural areas will emerge for:
Covering white zones and ensuring a seamless connectivity plan
Emergency services
Broadcast/multicast and network offload schemes
Aero and Maritime mobility
Connected cars (software download)
Mobile backhaul
Newer low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations will further expand the reach of satellite communications
Oneweb has launched its first batch of satellites that will provide internet access (using mobile/multiple access) Edge computing (MEC) platform to rural regions around the world.
Oneweb plan is to build a large network of satellites that will be hung in low earth orbit and beam down broadband internet to underserved areas. The company planned to put up 650 satellites by 2020, with a plan to expand to 900 as it expands its coverage. The network will be built over the course of 21 launches to deploy the satellites
Space-X is also building a global, broadband LEO constellation of satellites to provide broadband internet access, Interactive multimedia and high-quality voice, operating in the high Frequency ka-band of the radio spectrum.
Boeing is set to create a new Non-Geosynchronous (NGSO) Satellite constellation for broadband services using V-band for low-latency, very high data rate broadband across the United Stats and the world.

Between rising commercial demand and government-driven universal broadband service obligations, the company expects satellite could play a major role.

It really comes down to the insatiable demand for bandwidth that we are seeing in the market place. The amount of bits being required by all of us is growing on the order of 20 something percent a year, and in order to meet that demand there are certain areas where satellite has advantages over terrestrial approaches. Customers lack choice in the broadband provider options, especially in rural areas, meaning there is room for more satellite broadband players to compete.
In the spectrum front, the constellation could downlink information in the 37.5 to 40.0 GHz band on a shared access basis with the proposed Upper Microwave Flexible Use (UMFU) Service.

THE HIGH FREQUENCIES OF THE EM SPECTRUM

DESCRIPTION	FREQUENCY	WAVELENGTH
HF	3-30MHz	100-10m
VHF	50-100MHz	6-3m
UHF	400-1000MHz	75-30cm
Microwave	3×10⁹ – 10¹¹H_z	10cm-3mm
Millimeter waves	10¹¹-10¹²H_z	3mm-0.3mm
Infra-red	10¹²-6×10¹⁴H_z	0.3m-0.5_um
Light	6×10¹⁴-8×10¹⁴H_z	0.5_um-0.4_um
Ultraviolet	8×10¹⁴-10¹⁷H_z	0.4_um-10^-9m
X-Rays	10¹⁷-10¹⁹H_z	10^-9m-10^-13m
Gamman Rays	>10¹⁹H_z	>10^-13m

Increased spectrum for 5G will provide:

Continuous connection
Greater capacity
More data
More users
Faster speeds
Faster Response Time (Lower-Latency) for connections
The increased spectrum in the mmW band will provide localized coverage as they only operate overshot distances
Future 5G deployments may use mmW frequencies in bands up to 86GHz
On the technology side, Boeing would want to taking its digital pay load technology from it GEO System and putting it into a Small Satellite Form Factor (SSFF). This is because there is a definite advantage in applying them to V-band NGSO System. The digital payload is SCALABLE and can be sized up or down as needed
The new trend is to shorten development cycles of satellites and make sure the next generation capabilities are brought up quickly and not have these long development cycles that have been in the past. The process involves continuous miniaturization in order to fit more transistors on integrated circuits (ICs), or essentially bringing Moore’s law to bear in space. This could dovetail well with the companies LEO ambitions, as satellites in this orbit typically have shorter life span and therefore require less radiation hardening compared to 15-year geostationary satellites.

Features of SATCOM SOLUTIONS FOR 5G

Cost Effective
Plug and play
Enabling Mobile Operators and Network Vendors to accelerate 5G deployment across all geographies and multiple use cases
Creating new and growing market opportunities for SATCOM Industry Stakeholders
Integrating Satellite Links with heavy emphasis on standardization to allow trusted operation and to Facilitate industry adoption
Focus in on eMBB(enhanced Mobile Broadband) to fixed and Mobile Networks, including support for orchestration and slicing, with the satellite links providing backhaul connectivity either alone or in parallel (Multilink) connectivity with terrestrial links.
Platform which enables high efficiency, high performance, Virtualization and Multiservice capability parameter for 5G.
Consider the Successful Demonstration of 5G Connectivity over a LEO Satellite, Powered by Gilat using Telesats phase 1 LEO
At EuCNC 2019, Sat5G conducted six demonstrations showcasing 5G use case over satellite: Video Streaming, Content Caching, Airline Connectivity, 5G NR over satellite, Backhaul applications-1, Backhaul applications-2
In General, Testing campaign confirms LEO provides superior fiber-like performance for high end satellite services.
The ability to demonstrate Fiber-Like performance via satellite across a number of applications that perform poorly on GEO satellite backhaul is a testament to the capabilities of LEO network for 5G.
With its high-throughput links, ultra-low latency, and disruptive economics, LEO constellations offers an unparalleled value proposition to expand the reach of 4G and 5G networks.

Test Scenarios Included:

High definition Video steaming without interruption
Video conference with teams demonstrating consistent and voice transmission with user experience matching terrestrial and cellular connections
Remote desktop connection to seamlessly manage a remote computer
VPN connection without any delay or outages
FTP encrypted file transfers of 2GB in both directions
IPsec tuned encryption with no reduction in the performance of the link.

As satellite professionals plan, design and build offerings to provide best-in-class connectivity for 5G customers, we are eager to explore how cutting edge technologies like new LEO constellations can integrate with global connectivity infrastructure across every application to deliver an outstanding performance, with significant improvement over what we can achieve via GEO satellites today.

Therefore, to get super-high, multi-gigabit speeds, carriers are first turning to newer, much higher frequencies, known as millimeter-wave (mmW).

Andrew Aroh is President SSPI Nigeria

Kindly share this post

Telecom

MTN Alerts Subscribers over Fake 25GB Anniversary MTN Data Giveaway

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

Kindly share this post

MTN Nigeria has alerted the public to a fraudulent 25GB anniversary data offer currently circulating across social media and messaging platforms.

MTN Alerts Subscribers over Fake 25GB Anniversary MTN Data Giveaway

In an official advisory published on its support handle on X at the weekend, the telco warned customers against interacting with unverified links, sharing private credentials, or making payments to access the supposed anniversary promotion.

According to MTN, the official 25GB anniversary freebie is only accessible via the MTN eShop and the MyMTN NG App.

In the post, the company said, “Please beware of fake MTN 25th Anniversary 25GB giveaway offers circulating online.

“The official MTN 25GB Anniversary Giveaway is available ONLY via the MyMTN NG App and MTN eShop.

“Do not click on links, share your personal information or make payments on any other platform claiming to offer the giveaway.

“Only trust official MTN channels.”

In a different post, the provider explained how eligible subscribers could access the legitimate MTN data giveaway.

The company said, “Log in to the MyMTN App and tap ‘Redeem Now’ on the anniversary banner or via the MTN eShop.

“To access the 25GB offer, kindly visit the MyMTN App or the MTN E-Shop and follow the prompts to activate the bundle, if you are eligible for the offer.

“You may also click on the link contained in the SMS notification you received regarding the offer.”

To safely claim the reward, the telecom operator advised subscribers to rely strictly on details published through its official communication channels.

MTN added that the complimentary 25GB data allocation remains valid until 11:59 p.m. on the designated expiration date, urging eligible customers to redeem the package before it expires.

The warning follows a wave of viral posts and link-sharing schemes falsely offering free data under the guise of the company’s 25th-anniversary celebration.

Consequently, users are strongly cautioned against engaging with unauthorized platforms or providing sensitive personal information and fees to third-party sites claiming to offer the promotional data.

Kindly share this post

Telecom

GITEX Nigeria to spotlight Africa’s $1trn AI economic potential

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

Kindly share this post

Nigeria is strengthening its position as a leading digital economy in Africa as it prepares to host the second edition of GITEX Nigeria, against projections that the continent’s artificial intelligence (AI) economy could generate up to $1 trillion in economic value by 2035.

GITEX Nigeria

GITEX Nigeria, described as West Africa’s largest technology, AI and startup event, is scheduled to hold in Abuja and Lagos from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu.

The event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International.

With the theme, “Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign Innovation,” the 2026 edition is expected to bring together global technology companies, investors, policymakers, regulators, startups and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

According to the organisers, the event will focus on strengthening digital resilience, scaling AI infrastructure, attracting strategic investments and building partnerships to support digital sovereignty across Nigeria and West Africa.

Nigeria’s progress in digital skills development is expected to feature prominently at the event, with the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme highlighted as a major intervention.

The programme has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, while more than 135,000 Nigerians have been trained through three cohorts.

The programme has also extended learning opportunities to more than 300,000 people through community resources and created 15,000 job and opportunity pathways, according to figures released by the organisers.

Another key initiative, Project BRIDGE, is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s national ICT backbone and improving connectivity in underserved communities.

The project is expected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, train 5,000 Nigerian youths, raise internet penetration above 70 per cent and extend high-speed connectivity to millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitality establishments.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria’s objective was to build the foundations for digital sovereignty and a globally competitive AI-powered economy.

“Building on the momentum forged through the implementation of Project BRIDGE, our national blueprint for expanding digital infrastructure and connecting communities across Nigeria, our aspiration ahead of this year’s edition is clear: to solidify the foundations Africa needs for digital sovereignty, technological self-determination, and a globally competitive AI-powered economy,” Tijani said.

He said Nigeria was seeking to promote equitable access, accelerate cross-continental progress and position the country as a producer and exporter of digital technologies and AI solutions.

The GITEX Nigeria Government Leadership and AI Summit will open in Abuja on Aug. 31, bringing together ministers, governors and regulators to discuss digital public infrastructure and other issues shaping West Africa’s digital economy.

The GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, as well as the Startup Festival, will also return for the second consecutive year.

A new component, FDX Nigeria by GITEX, will focus on finance and digital asset exchange, with the organisers describing it as a platform designed to promote financial inclusion and connect emerging technology with global capital.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the state remained central to Africa’s digital transformation, noting its role in attracting talent, capital and innovation.

He said hosting GITEX Nigeria would further support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a smarter, more connected and globally competitive economy.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, said Nigeria’s digital future would depend not only on technology adoption but also on resilience, trust and effective governance frameworks.

“GITEX NIGERIA seamlessly complements this mandate, creating a unique environment for the dialogue needed to accelerate responsible AI adoption, develop a secure digital economy, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” Abdullahi said.

He said the expertise, investment and partnerships generated through the event would contribute to building an AI ecosystem that was secure, inclusive and capable of supporting Nigeria and West Africa’s long-term competitiveness.

The organisers said Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, 3MTT programme and Project BRIDGE were among initiatives strengthening the country’s capacity in talent development, digital infrastructure, investment attraction and responsible AI adoption.

They said GITEX Nigeria would provide an avenue for global stakeholders to establish partnerships and develop solutions capable of accelerating the region’s digital transformation.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, said the event was intended to demonstrate that West Africa was ready to convert technological ambition into economic growth, resilience and global competitiveness.

She said GITEX Nigeria would facilitate strategic conversations and partnerships aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness and unlocking scalable growth across Nigeria and West Africa.

Kindly share this post

Telecom

NCC, Enugu Sign Deal to Operate Digital Industrial Park, Learning Centre

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

Kindly share this post

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Enugu State Government have signed an agreement for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.

NCC, Enugu Sign Deal to Operate Digital Industrial Park, Learning Centre

The agreement was witnessed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, alongside members of the Commission’s Board and Management.

The development is expected to strengthen digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven opportunities in the state.

As part of the engagement, the NCC delegation also visited the Enugu Smart School Initiative, where technology is being integrated into teaching and learning.

The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills and preparing them for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

The NCC said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand digital inclusion, strengthen innovation and develop the talent required to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.

The Commission said partnerships with state governments and other stakeholders were critical to creating an enabling environment for digital skills development and technology adoption across the country.

Kindly share this post