Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation will deliver broadband and mobile satellite connectivity across Nigeria.
Nigeria has taken a significant step in expanding its satellite broadband sector by granting seven-year operating permits to Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit satellite business, alongside providers from Israel and Germany, opening the market to increased competition and new connectivity options.
The approvals position Amazon as a direct competitor to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has rapidly grown its presence in Nigeria. The move signals a new phase in the country’s digital development and reflects broader efforts to improve broadband access and attract international investment.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed it has issued commercial satellite licences to Amazon LEO, formerly known as Project Kuiper, Israel-based NSLComm for its BeetleSat network, and Germany’s Satelio IoT Services. The permits allow the companies to deploy non-geostationary satellite systems over Nigeria starting in 2026.
Amazon was granted a seven-year landing permit covering the operation of its planned 3,236-satellite Ka-band constellation between February 2026 and February 2033. Under the licence, Amazon LEO will be able to offer fixed broadband services, mobile satellite connectivity, and links for moving platforms including aircraft and maritime vessels.
NSLComm received clearance to roll out its 264-satellite BeetleSat-1 constellation, while Satelio IoT Services was approved to deploy a planned 491-satellite Internet-of-Things network, although only one satellite from its system is currently in orbit.
The NCC said opening Nigeria’s market to multiple satellite providers is expected to speed up broadband expansion, particularly in remote and underserved regions where fibre and mobile networks have struggled to provide consistent coverage. The move also aligns with the government’s efforts to modernise its regulatory framework in line with global best practices.
Amazon’s entry comes as Starlink continues to reshape Nigeria’s internet landscape. By the end of Q2 2025, Starlink had reached more than 66,500 subscribers, making it the country’s second-largest internet service provider despite its relatively high prices, according to industry data. The rapid uptake highlighted strong unmet demand for reliable, high-speed internet in Africa’s most populous nation.
However, Starlink’s pricing has fluctuated amid currency volatility and rising import costs. Monthly subscription fees have climbed to about $38 from roughly $25 earlier in 2024, following regulatory action that prevented steeper increases. While coverage has expanded, affordability remains a concern for many households.
Post a Comment