ABUJA — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially unveiled its draft National Spectrum Roadmap for 2025–2030, marking a decisive regulatory pivot toward integrating satellite connectivity directly with the national mobile grid. Released on Friday, December 26, 2025, the document outlines a five-year strategy to achieve universal broadband access by leveraging Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology.
This roadmap represents the first formal inclusion of D2D protocols in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. Under this framework, the NCC aims to bridge the digital divide in “signal blackspots”—specifically rural, border, and riverine communities where terrestrial towers are either geographically impossible or economically unviable to deploy.
Connecting the Unconnected
The core of the roadmap is the authorization of Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). Unlike traditional satellite internet which requires a dish or specialized terminal, SCS allows standard 4G and 5G smartphones to toggle seamlessly between land-based cell towers and satellite signals.
“By formally recognizing D2D and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) as integral components of the national network, we are ensuring that connectivity is determined by geography, not just population density,” the document states.
The NCC has identified this technology as a critical resilience measure. Beyond expanding coverage, the satellite link will serve as a “fallback” during terrestrial infrastructure failures, such as the fiber-optic cuts and power outages that frequently disrupt service across West Africa.
Regulatory Green Light for Hybrids
The release of the roadmap follows months of industry agitation for clearer rules on satellite-to-cellular integration.
- Spectrum Sharing: The roadmap proposes a “flexible spectrum usage” model, authorizing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN and Airtel to sign spectrum-sharing agreements with satellite providers.
- Timeline: A public inquiry and stakeholder roundtable are scheduled for early 2026 to finalize implementation guidelines. The Commission expects the first commercial D2D pilot programs to launch by mid-2026, aligning with the global deployment of advanced Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite shells.
Strategic Alignment
This policy move aligns with recent market dynamics. Earlier in December 2025, Airtel Africa announced a partnership expansion to deploy satellite-to-cellular services, while Starlink continues to aggressively expand its Nigerian subscriber base. The NCC’s roadmap effectively creates the legal environment for these technologies to scale legally and securely.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized that the roadmap is forward-looking, designed not just for current 5G needs but to accommodate the “multi-gigabit” demands of future 6G standards. “Rocket engineering and satellite integration are no longer luxuries,” the administration noted, “but necessities for a robust digital economy.”
