SINCE the introduction of VSAT into the country a few years ago, there has been a "tremendous" growth in demand for space segments, hence the rationale for the launching of another satellite in 2006, according to Science and Technology Minister, Prof. Turner Isoun.

He spoke yesterday in respect of Nigeria's plan to launch a second satellite by 2006.

The first satellite was launched on September 26, last year through the Russian airspace and with the participation of Nigerian scientists.

The minister, who was represented by the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, Prof. Robert Boroffice, further noted that for now, there are no fewer than 5000 VSAT's installed in Nigeria.

"Companies, government and individuals have come to realise that by taking advantage of satellite communication, it is possible to by-pass the poor state of telecom infrastructure in Nigeria," he asserted.

According to him, two out of every three intercontinental telephone calls are transmitted via communications satellite.

"All over the world, everyday business communications between retail chains and banks, national lottery systems and even petrol and water pipelines, are often operated in some form by satellite.

"Broadcast, texts or audio news distributed by agencies are mostly sent via satellite links. Satellite communication has thus established itself as a viable alternative to territorial telephone," the minister added.

Isoun regretted that the cost of bandwidth in Nigeria was one of the most expensive in the world.

He added: "The market is dominated by PANAMSAT, EUTELSAT, INIELSAL, IMMASAT and so on. Conservatively, the cost to Nigeria is over $5 billion every month."

The minister listed several other objectives of the project, adding that a lead consultant had been appointed to work with others to carry out a comprehensive exercise on its take-off.

He commended the National Communications Commission (NCC) for accelerating the growth of the telecommunications sector by licensing many companies for the provision of services ranging from cellular, fixed satellite internet and other value added services.

He noted that the whole world is fast becoming a global village enhanced by the obvious and necessary tools of communications of which telecommunications is a key player.

The minister, while acknowledging that Nigeria has exceeded the target of one telephone line per 100 people, said this feat was made possible by the deregulation of the communications sector under the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

In his address at the workshop, organised by the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife and Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), Abuja, in collaboration with NASRDA, the pioneer vice-chairman of the NCC, Ogbonna Iromantu said the Nigerian satellite enterprise should not limit itself to being a technology or access provider but should strive to become a solution provider.

Iromantu spoke on "Prospects of a Nigerian Communications Satellite, its acceptability, viability and sustainability," added that the Nigerian satellite should be run commercially to make it viable and should develop public-private strategic partnerships to be sustainable.

OAU Vice Chancellor, Professor Rogers Makanjuola, in his opening remarks, said Nigeria's foray into space technology was very necessary, especially at the beginning of a new century that promises drastic challenges to old paradigms.

"The 21st Century is a time we should expect many ideas to be redefined and by extension, our being as a national sovereign entity should also reposition accordingly," he added