The Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, the premier innovative communications satellite solution provider,
in partnership with the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), has launched its Direct-to-Home (DTH) services with the airing of programmes of its first commercial customer OVY Network with a Botswana-based startup DTH private operator test running the facility.
Speaking on the successful launch of the DTH in Abuja, the CEO of the private networks, Mr. George Kavameje, admitted that he is excited to partner with NIGCOMSAT and the CGWIC to reach people in the Sub-Saharan Africa with premium content using the NigComSat-1R satellite.
The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Ms. Abimbola Alale, who spoke through its Executive Director, Mr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, while also appreciating its channel/reseller partners called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to patronize its services on Wednesday night in Abuja.
She stressed that the company in collaboration with CGWIC completed a world-class head-end system composed of main stream hardware and software obtained from the United States of America (USA), Singapore and China.
The MD said: “Government is desirous of promoting local content in public procurement and had issued executive order 003 for the patronage of Made in Nigeria goods and services…which is a catalyst for growth and the fuel that propels aggressive marketing campaign for NIGCOMSAT.
“Jointly, we must expand our business frontiers aggressively to rake in clients from diverse industries, broadcasting verticals, maritime and offshore applications, VAS (Health, Education, Entertainment, Enterprised-related) tied with Broadband solutions…will be well positioned as a company of the future to partner with in business delivery.”
The company’s Head of Media, Mr. Adamu Idris, who spoke at the sideline, said after over 6 months of intensive testing, optimizing and trial services, the system integrator provide 24-hour, 7 days a week technical support, stressing that the NIGCOMSAT DTH system is fully capable of providing commercial broadcast
The NIGCOMSAT DTH system, he said may offer a new solution for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) Program for the nation using the DTT platform, adding that the challenge from the DSO may be mitigated with the NIGCOMSAT DTH services using the NigComSat-1R satellite. Programmes can be broadcast in urban and remote areas across the country.
The Public Affairs Head, said: “A high level government delegation including the Chairman, House Ad-Hoc Committee on DSO, Sunday Marshall Katung and the DG, National Broadcasting Commission, Isha’q Modibbo Kawu, had earlier visited the NIGCOMSAT DTH Centre following the setup of system. They both expressed optimism on the role of NIGCOMSAT in the support of the DSO.”
According to him, the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu urged the Ministry of Information and Culture, and other related MDAs to, in line with the executive order for local content 003, consider the indigenous capacity that NIGCOMSAT has developed to serve the broadcast and communication needs of their businesses.
Among the reseller and channel partners present at the award ceremony included, Content Oasis, Trefoil Networks, Nalot Multisystems, Interweb Satcom ltd and Managementedge Technologies. In a vote of thanks, the MD, of Content Oasis, Mr. Brian Mitchell, whose company emerged the best reseller in the year, expressed optimism that NIGCOMSAT will drive rapid development through the deployment and patronage of its services.