With the increased demand for broadband connectivity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, competition has increased in the satellite connectivity segment. Operators are stepping up investments to reach as many consumers as possible.
Satellite telecom operator YahClick will rely on Clear Blue Technologies International to bring high-speed connectivity further afield in Africa. The company specializing in the supply of off-grid electrical energy and intelligent solar energy solutions will equip YahClick’s facilities with energy systems that will ensure continuity of service at low cost. A partnership agreement signed to this effect between the two parties was unveiled on Thursday 3 February.
The first installations of the energy systems, under this partnership, will begin in the first quarter of 2022 for sites in Nigeria and Zambia, with an estimated target of nearly 1,000 sites to be covered over the next 12 to 24 months. . “Our partnership with Clear Blue provides clean off-grid energy to ensure our proven, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity for Africa’s leading network providers of choice, ” said Farhad Khan, YahClick’s Chief Executive Officer.
The partnership between YahClick and Clear Blue Technologies comes nearly six months after the off-grid electric power provider signed with satellite telecom operator Avanti. It reflects the fierce competition currently prevailing in the satellite telecommunications segment. In its report “The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2021”, the Global Association of Telephone Operators (GSMA) indicates that the internet penetration rate is still only 28% in Africa. It is therefore a large segment of the African population not at all connected that the satellite operators are fighting over.
By using the services of Clear Blue Technologies, YahClick is primarily targeting the 206 million people who are still not covered by telecom networks according to GSMA, ie (19%) of the 1,084 million people identified in the region. Giving them access to high-speed connectivity represents growing revenues for the Saudi satellite operator.