The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed two additional global satellite internet service providers, BeetleSat-1 and Satelio IoT Services, as part of efforts to strengthen satellite internet connectivity and boost competition in Africa’s largest telecommunications market.
The seven-year licences, effective from 28 February 2026 to 28 February 2033, aim to expand satellite broadband services and bring Nigeria in line with global best practices. With more than 23 million Nigerians living in unserved or underserved areas and mobile broadband penetration standing at just 50.58% as of November 2025, the permits underscore the limitations of terrestrial networks in reaching rural and hard-to-access communities.
The new entrants join an increasingly competitive satellite broadband market. SpaceX’s Starlink, operating through Starlink Internet Service Nigeria Ltd, has already established itself as the country’s third-largest internet service provider, according to NCC subscriber statistics for Q2 2025. The company reached 66,523 subscribers, demonstrating significant resilience and rapid growth in Nigeria’s competitive ISP landscape since its market entry in 2023.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/01/20/nigeria-licenses-beetlesat-and-satelio-iot-to-expand-satellite-broadband-market/