A new phase in Nigeria’s digital connectivity landscape may be underway as regulators consider the use of satellites to deliver mobile services directly to users’ phones, bypassing the limits of traditional ground-based infrastructure.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a six-week public consultation on the possible introduction of Satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity, a technology that allows mobile devices to connect straight to satellites without relying solely on terrestrial networks. The initiative reflects growing global momentum around non-terrestrial networks and their potential role in expanding coverage and strengthening communications resilience.
According to the commission, rapid advances in satellite technology now make it feasible for mobile devices to link directly with satellites and, in some cases, airborne platforms. This could significantly improve access to voice and data services in remote and underserved areas, while also providing backup connectivity during network outages and enhancing emergency response capabilities.
In a public notice, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the proposed D2D framework aligns with the commission’s statutory mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and broader national goals on digital inclusion, security and economic development.
He explained that the commission’s interest is partly informed by findings from its 2024 cluster gap study, which identified 87 connectivity clusters affecting an estimated 23.37 million Nigerians. The review also takes into account ongoing international deliberations ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference scheduled for 2027.
Dr Maida noted that emerging D2D services are evolving along two main paths. One involves the use of specialised devices operating on Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum, while the other enables standard, unmodified mobile phones to connect directly to satellites using spectrum traditionally assigned to terrestrial mobile networks.
The NCC emphasised that any move towards satellite-based direct connectivity would be designed to complement, rather than replace, existing mobile networks. The goal, the commission said, is to close coverage gaps, improve network resilience and support innovation, without undermining investment in terrestrial infrastructure.
The consultation, which runs until February 23, 2026, is open to a broad range of stakeholders, including telecom operators, consumers, government institutions, international organisations and civil society groups. Feedback received during the process is expected to shape the commission’s eventual regulatory and policy decisions.
Looking ahead, the NCC stressed that any future regulatory framework must carefully balance innovation with market stability. “Any future D2D framework must support universal access goals, preserve incentives for continued terrestrial network investment, and ensure efficient spectrum management, fair competition, consumer protection and national interest outcomes,” Dr Maida said.