NCC Reveals Plan to Bridge Rural Connectivity Gap with Satellite Tech
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is placing a significant wager on satellite-based Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology to close the country’s persistent rural connectivity divide, as outlined in its draft Spectrum Management and Allocation Blueprint for 2025–2030.
This is even as the regulator has identified non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), including D2D services that beam voice and data directly to unmodified smartphones, as a cornerstone for achieving universal coverage in hard-to-reach areas plagued by challenging terrain, insecurity, and prohibitive infrastructure costs.
This policy pivot arrives amid a landmark private-sector move: Airtel Africa’s December 2025 agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite services across 14 African markets, including Nigeria.
The deal, announced just weeks before the current date, positions Airtel as the continent’s first mobile network operator (MNO) to integrate Starlink’s D2D capabilities, enabling customers with compatible LTE handsets to access texting, select data apps, and eventually voice in off-grid zones with no specialized hardware required.
In the draft roadmap, the NCC explicitly promotes D2D as a transformative solution for extending coverage to signal blackspots, riverine communities, border regions, and vast rural expanses currently beyond terrestrial towers.
“In Nigeria, D2D connectivity could play a transformative role by extending voice and data coverage… It would also strengthen network resilience, serving as a fallback during fibre cuts, power outages, or emergencies,” the document states.
Beyond consumers, applications span public safety, disaster response, IoT monitoring, and smart agriculture in underserved zones.The emphasis extends to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations like Starlink, alongside Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites and emerging high-altitude platforms such as stratospheric balloons.
These are eyed for high-speed broadband delivery and mobile backhaul in remote locations where fiber deployment or tower construction remains uneconomical.
The roadmap encourages collaborations between MNOs and satellite operators, including shared spectrum usage to optimize Nigeria’s finite radio resources.
Nigeria’s connectivity challenges are stark: Despite mobile subscriptions surpassing 177 million and broadband penetration hitting 50.6 percent in November 2025, rural areas lag far behind urban centers.
Millions remain unconnected due to frequent fiber vandalism (30-40 incidents daily), high diesel costs for base stations, multiple taxation, and right-of-way disputes. The outgoing National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) aimed for 70 percent penetration but is likely to fall short, underscoring the need for hybrid solutions.
Analysts hail the NCC’s stance as forward-thinking, aligning with global trends where regulators in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have authorized spectrum sharing for D2D.
“This opens investment avenues and accelerates universal access,” said Jide Awe, telecom expert.
Airtel’s Starlink pact, covering Nigeria alongside markets like Kenya and Uganda, exemplifies the envisioned partnerships, leveraging Airtel’s 60 million-plus local subscribers and Starlink’s growing LEO fleet for seamless hybrid networks.
For operators like MTN and Globacom, the policy could spur similar tie-ups, fostering competition while reducing capex burdens in low-density areas.
Consumers stand to gain reliable emergency communications and digital inclusion, unlocking e-commerce, mobile banking, and education in remote villages.
Challenges remain, including regulatory approvals for spectrum use, device compatibility, and affordability of next-gen handsets. The roadmap’s finalization, following stakeholder consultations, will shape auctions and licensing frameworks.
