Digital Switchover Won’t Require New Set-top Boxes – NIGCOMSAT

The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited says Nigerians will not need to purchase special set-top boxes to access services under the Digital Switchover (DSO) initiative and enjoy over 100 television channels.

The managing director of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen, stated this on Monday in Abuja at a joint news conference with the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu.

She explained that existing DVB-based set-top boxes in the market would be compatible with the system.

“The solution we are going for does not require any special set of boxes. We already have about 10 million DVB-2S-type boxes on the market. Just connect,” she said.

She added that users would not require additional software or technical installation at home, noting that reception would only require proper alignment to the NigComSat-1R satellite.

Egerton-Idehen said NigComSat-1R currently covers the entire ECOWAS sub-region, except for parts of North Africa, adding that users can connect from any location within the coverage area.

According to her, the satellite is expected to be replaced by 2028, with procurement already underway.

“We have two vendors supplying the replacement: Thales Alenia Space and Ariane. We went through a meticulous two-year process to select them,” she said.

She added that the new satellite would maintain the same orbital slot, ensuring that users would not need to re-point their antennas or change equipment.

“Users don’t need to re-point their antenna. We are using the same slot. We don’t want you to do anything; we will do the entire work,” she said.

She disclosed that planning for the replacement project began in November 2024, following technical assessments and contingency planning.

“There is already a contingency plan with other satellite providers if we do not meet the 2028 replacement timeline, but we are confident,” she added.

Also speaking, Ebuebu, said the Commission was adopting a hybrid Digital Switchover model to address sustainability challenges that stalled the earlier digital terrestrial television rollout.

He said the original DSO programme, which began in 2006 with a 2015 target, faced setbacks due to the high costs of maintaining transmission infrastructure.

“Even if we are able to fund all those towers nationwide, it is not sustainable. We would run into the same issues again,” he said.

Ebuebu said the new model would combine digital terrestrial television with satellite and internet-based platforms to expand access.

He added that the initiative had already attracted interest from state and private broadcasters.

He also said audience measurement systems would be deployed to provide advertisers with accurate data, while the NBC call centre would be upgraded to support multiple Nigerian languages.

According to him, six geo-political studios would also be established to promote content production beyond major cities and reflect Nigeria’s linguistic diversity.

“We are not saying it is a perfect plan, but it is the most realistic approach to resolve the current stalemate,” he said.