ON the heels of a successful NigComSat-1R launch last December and In Orbit Delivery (IOD) on March 19, 2012, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has decided to boost the growing African broadband market with a deal that would see the deployment of iDirect universal satellite hub evolution platform . The deal which happened at the weekend, according to the duo of iDirect Regional Vice President, Europe, Mr. Majdi Atout and NIGCOMSAT Chief Executive Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai would see iDirect deploying an evolution-based service to boost the growing broadband market in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. According to the duo, “the iDirect Evolution platform will enhance NIGCOMSAT’s existing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) solutions for military and government customers, while enabling the company to pursue new opportunities in the enterprise and education markets”. iDirect, the Herndon, Virginia-based United States of America (USA) Company is a global leader in satellite-based Internet Protocol (IP) communication technology company. It is a subsidiary of VT Systems of USA. The deployment of the iDirect universal satellite hub will enable NIGCOMSAT, Africa’s Premier Satellite Operator, to offer affordable internet services to the military, government, education, enterprise markets among others. The statement quoted Ahmed-Rufai as saying that “We believe that high-speed internet has the potential to transform the Nigerian economy, hence our partnership with iDirect to deploy a satellite network that affordably supports increasing broadband penetration in the region”. He added that “iDirect’s solutions enable us to offer a broadband service that meets the diverse requirement of multiple end users, and can grow to meet further connectivity challenges.” Regional Vice President for iDirect in Europe, Mr. Majdi Atout on his part said “there is tremendous potential for growth in Africa, but much of that potential hinges on developing an infrastructure that can support high-speed data sharing and broadband internet access.” He explained that “the iDirect platform offers NIGCOMSAT a high-performing and flexible solution that supports the company’s goal of building a more open and connected Africa.”
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