By 
By Nwakaego Alajemba
The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) Limited, operators of NigComSat-1R, are in talks with the Liberian government to expand the company’s satellite services to the public and private sectors in Liberia.
Officials of NigComSat led by Executive Director of Market and Promotion, Hon Samson Osagie and Technical Assistant, Sales, Mr. Morakinyo Akinola held talks with President George Weah in Monrovia yesterday to explore ways in which the Nigerian communication company could provide country-wide connectivity to the West African country of five million people.
NigComSat-1R has footprint all over Africa, parts of Europe and Asia and delivers high grade bandwidth for satellite broadband and other services through its Ku. Band, Ka band, C band and L band.
Monrovia and Abuja synergy
Monrovia which increasingly looks to Nigeria for brotherly support is excited and seeks to further consolidate her relationship with Nigeria through a possible deal with NigComSat.
Much of Liberia, particularly the rural areas, is still not covered though connectivity is steadily improving following the end of the two civil wars (1989-1996 and 1999-2003) that destroyed the country’s entire communications infrastructure.
Liberia was162nd in the world with only147, 510 Internet users as at 2012 – that’s about 3.8% of the population. But the telecommunications sector has recorded much vibrancy since the return of democratic governance and despite the small population; the sector has recorded great strides with main telecom players that include Lonestar Cell MTN, Orange, and Novafone.
NigComSat plans a nation-wide coverage that would expand connectivity access to a mass of the population in urban and rural settlements; as well as provide the backbone infrastructure for disruptive services across sectors and improve how government is able to deliver services to the populace.
“Our presence in Liberia is part of our plans for an aggressive marketing across the entire region,” said Osagie to IT Edge News from Monrovia.
