Utilization of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat -1R) Services for Internet Access among Agencies of Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria.

Abstract

The importance of Internet access to nation-building and the development of businesses cannot he over-emphasized. This makes its availability and accessibility a major concern to nations. Communications satellites exist to provide the best alternative for people living in both urban - and rural areas. The study focused on the Utilisation of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat- 1R) Services for Internet Access among Agencies of Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured and closed-ended questionnaire. This study has a population of five hundred and nine (509) members of staff that comprises the staff of the two (2) agencies selected for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to censor 22 members of staff attached to Network Operation Centres (NOC) of both agencies based on their technical knowledge about the different Internet platforms available and Suitable to adopt for their respective agencies. Total enumeration sampling techniques were used because the 22 staff sampled is very few and less than 200. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis of frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The result shows that NigComSat-I R has three major broadband (C, Ku, and Ka-band)for providing Internet access with high potentials to increase Internet penetration in Nigeria. However, it was discovered that the satellite whose inbuilt capacity for Internet penetration is 39% has very little contribution to the current 33.2% Internet penetration in Nigeria. The study findings revealed that the challenges were lack of adequate patronage due to risk involved in depending on one satellite that lacks backup satellite for redundancy, lack of suitable platforms for deployment of the satellite services for easy accessibility by all, and lack of adequate legislation/regulation that will enforce its patronage. The study concludes that the satellite has been seriously underutilized for over nine (9) years of its existence, and it was recommended that the Federal government of Nigeria should, as a matter of urgency, launch at least two more communications satellites to eliminate the fear of high risk involved in depending on a single satellite-like NigComSat-1R and put in place, proper legislation/regulatory policy that will guide and enforce its usage.