The Federal Government has announced that millions of Nigerians will soon gain access to 100 television channels without the need to purchase decoders or special set-top boxes.
The development is said to be one of the key outcomes of the long-awaited Digital Switchover (DSO) programme scheduled for implementation across the country.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, gave this assurance during a brief press briefing in Abuja alongside the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu.
According to the Federal Government, the initiative is designed to make television access more affordable, accessible, and sustainable for Nigerians across the country.
Egerton-Idehen stated that viewers would not need to buy any additional decoder or special set-top box to access the service. She explained that the millions of DVB-S2 compatible set-top boxes already circulating in Nigeria are fully capable of connecting to the new platform without difficulty.
She further clarified that families would not be required to install extra software or carry out any complicated technical modifications. Instead, users only need to ensure that their receiving devices are properly aligned with the NigComSat-1R satellite for seamless access.
According to a report by Leadership, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) stated that the NigComSat-1R satellite currently covers the entire ECOWAS region, making the service accessible to viewers across nearly every part of Nigeria.
The move is expected to boost television accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas where terrestrial broadcasting facilities are still inadequate.
With over 100 channels projected to be offered, the platform is designed to give audiences access to a broader selection of entertainment, educational programmes, news, and culturally relevant content.
Egerton-Idehen revealed that arrangements are in progress to replace the current NigComSat-1R satellite before it reaches the end of its service life. She explained that the new satellite is scheduled for launch by 2028, following the selection of international aerospace companies Thales Alenia Space and Ariane after an extensive procurement exercise that lasted two years.
She also reassured subscribers that the replacement satellite would remain in the same orbital slot as the existing one, eliminating the need for users to adjust their antennas or invest in new devices.
She further stated that backup measures have been established with other satellite providers to ensure uninterrupted service in the event of delays in the replacement schedule.
