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Nigeria Grants Satellite Permits to Kuiper, BeetleSat and Satelio

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Nigeria has issued seven-year satellite permits to Kuiper Systems, Israel’s NSLComm (via BeetleSat) and Germany-based Satelio IoT Services, expanding the list of operators approved to provide space-based broadband in Africa’s largest telecoms market.

The Nigerian Communications Commission said the licences were granted under its commercial satellite communications framework, aimed at attracting investment and accelerating next-generation non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) services.

Under the approvals, Amazon’s Project Kuiper can provide Ka-band services in Nigeria from February 2026 to February 2033 using its planned 3,236-satellite constellation. NSLComm received clearance for its 264-satellite BeetleSat-1 network, while Satelio IoT was approved for a planned 491-satellite system, with one satellite currently in orbit.

The move places the companies alongside SpaceX, which already operates Starlink in Nigeria, and supports the regulator’s goal of rapidly expanding satellite broadband access.

Ukraine to launch Starlink mobile internet in 2026, becoming Europe’s first

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Ukraine is set to become the first European country to offer Starlink mobile services, with telecom operator Kyivstar planning to roll out messaging by the end of 2025 and mobile satellite broadband by mid-2026, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov announced.

Under a deal with SpaceX signed in late 2024, field tests have already started for direct-to-cell satellite services, which connect smartphones directly to satellites without relying on traditional cell towers. This technology allows satellite constellations to function like mobile networks from space.

Komarov told Reuters that the initial phase will focus on over-the-top (OTT) messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal, expected to be operational by the end of this year. Full mobile satellite broadband data and voice services are targeted for launch by the second quarter of 2026.

While SpaceX did not comment, the announcement follows a related plan by U.S. carrier T-Mobile, which will offer data services on its Starlink-powered satellite-to-cell network starting October.

Komarov made these remarks ahead of a Ukraine recovery conference hosted by Italy, marking three years since Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also attending the event. Komarov emphasized his goal to support the Ukrainian government and foster new business relations, including partnerships with Italian firms aiming to invest in Ukraine.

Kyivstar, part of telecom group VEON, is progressing with plans for a U.S. stock market listing on NASDAQ, aiming to complete the direct placement of a Ukrainian entity during wartime by Q3 2025 — a first in history, Komarov noted.

Despite ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure causing widespread blackouts last year, Komarov said telecom services have become more resilient. Currently, Kyivstar can maintain fixed and mobile services for up to 10 hours even during national blackouts.

India Grants Conditional Approval for Starlink’s Satellite Internet Services

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India has granted conditional approval to SpaceX’s Starlink to begin offering satellite-based internet services in the country, according to a report by CNBC-TV18 on Thursday.

Key Developments:

  • The conditional nod allows Starlink to progress toward commercial operations, pending fulfillment of regulatory requirements.

  • Starlink had been awaiting licenses since 2022, with delays linked to national security concerns and policy disagreements over satellite spectrum allocation.

  • The decision follows Starlink’s March agreements with major Indian telecom providers: Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Reliance Jio.

Background:

  • A policy tussle between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani over satellite spectrum allocation had stalled progress. The Indian government ultimately supported the open allocation model advocated by Musk.

  • India, the world’s most populous nation, presents a massive market opportunity for expanding high-speed connectivity, especially in rural and remote areas.

The conditional approval paves the way for Starlink to compete with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and OneWeb (backed by Bharti) in a race to dominate India’s satellite broadband future.