Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Satellite License in Nigeria, Kuiper, BeetleSat, Satelio, Starlink, Eutelsat, MaiaSpace, among others.
Nigeria Awards 7‑Year Satellite Permits to Kuiper, BeetleSat & Satelio
Nigeria’s telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has issued seven‑year satellite licenses to Amazon’s Kuiper Systems, Israel’s NSLComm’s BeetleSat, and Germany’s Satelio IoT Services, joining SpaceX’s Starlink in offering space‑based broadband services. The permits, granted under the NCC’s commercial satellite communications guidelines, aim to attract investment and expand high‑speed internet access via next‑generation non‑geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems in Africa’s largest telecom market. Kuiper’s licence covers its 3,236‑satellite Ka‑band Project Kuiper constellation from February 2026 to 2033, while BeetleSat’s 264‑satellite network and Satelio’s planned 491‑satellite IoT system also received approval.
Eutelsat Teams Up with MaiaSpace to Challenge Starlink in LEO Broadband Race
European satellite operator Eutelsat has signed a multi‑launch agreement with French space startup MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, to launch its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites starting in 2027. This move strengthens Europe’s space capabilities and provides an alternative to U.S. launch providers like SpaceX. Eutelsat, owner of the OneWeb constellation — the only other operational LEO network besides Starlink — is expanding its launch options to boost competition in satellite broadband. MaiaSpace is developing a partially reusable mini‑launcher, aiming to reduce costs and increase launch frequency, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2026.
India Rockets to 400 Million 5G Users, Becomes World’s Second-Largest Market
India has become the world’s second-largest 5G market, with over 400 million 5G users, second only to China, according to Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Since its launch in October 2022, 5G now covers 99.6 percent of the country and reaches around 85 percent of the population, supported by 4.69 lakh 5G base stations installed nationwide. The rapid adoption highlights India’s strong digital connectivity growth, with rural telephone connections and overall internet usage increasing significantly.
Zong and ZTE Join Forces to Bring Affordable 5G Smartphones Across Pakistan
Zong has signed an agreement with ZTE and its distributor Siccotel to broaden access to smartphones across Pakistan. The collaboration aims to expand Zong’s device portfolio with entry‑level to high‑end 5G devices and gaming‑focused smartphones, targeting various customer segments. To boost affordability, the deal includes Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes and competitive pricing, with devices bundled into Zong’s service packages featuring gaming, entertainment, and data offerings.
Shafana Fazal
