Utilization of Public Library as alternative Platform for Depoloyment of NigComSat-1R Services in Deepening Broadband in Nigeria

Abstract

Broadband internet peneration of a country is measured by the total number of people that have internet access against the total population of the country. The Study analysed both the Broadband Internet potentials of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat-IR) and the attempted platforms used to deploy its services and existing branches in Nigeria and public library services and its existing branches in Nigeria as suitable platforms required to be used to further deepen Broadband Internet penetration in Nigeria. The study is theoretical research that seeks to draw the attention of the NIGCOMSAT agency towards public libraries and its services for a consideration in their quest for good platforms that will be used to deploy NigComSat-IR services members of the public in Nigeria. The study found out that NigComSat-IR has the potentials of deepening Broadband penetration in Nigeria, but due to the challenges in their choice of platforms to deploy its services to all members of the public in Nigeria hence, its contribution to Nigeria ’s 33% existing Broadband penetration is far below expectation. However, from the findings of the study, it was discovered that 316 functional public libraries are widely spread across all the cities and major towns in Nigeria, and they are open to all kinds of members of the public for use in Nigeria. Therefore, effective collaboration between NIGCOMSAT Limited and Public libraries will be a win-win situation for both organisations. While the public libraries will benefit from the Broadband Internet services that would be provided by NigComSat-IR services to improve and facilitate her services and discharge her function effectively to the public, more members of the public will be attracted to the library to access and use the Broadband Internet services provided by NigComSat-IR, thereby further deepening Broadband penetration in Nigeria. This makes public libraries the best alternative platforms that should be adopted and used to deploy NigComSat-IR services to general public members in Nigeria.