OneWeb partners with iSAT Africa to provide connectivity services in Sub-Saharan Africa
May 16th 2023
OneWeb has finalized the deployment of its constellation of Low Orbit (LEO) satellites. The company continues to forge partnerships to ensure the distribution of its services in Africa.
Satellite operator OneWeb announced on Monday May 15 that it has signed a distribution agreement with integrated communications service provider iSAT Africa Ltd. The collaboration is expected to provide high-speed connectivity services in Central, West and East Africa. This includes unconnected or underserved areas.
Under this partnership, “i SAT Africa will offer a variety of integrated communication solutions for business connectivity, remote access and rural connectivity, tailored to the needs of businesses and communities in Africa” .
This new distribution agreement is part of OneWeb’s investments to establish itself in the African Internet connectivity market, where there is strong competition stimulated by the growing demand for broadband connectivity and the acceleration of digital transformation. In recent months, the company has signed distribution agreements with telecom service providers such as Paratus, Orange, Q-KON Africa, Airtel Africa… The company has also finalized the deployment of its low orbit satellite constellation ( LEO).
These various investments also reflect the renewed interest of telecom operators and connectivity service providers for space technology in the context of extending the reach of their networks. Satellites have proven more practical in bringing connectivity services to all communities on the continent, including those living in remote areas that are difficult to access for terrestrial networks.
According to the 2022 edition of The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report by the World Association of Telephone Operators (GSMA), 515 million people used mobile telephone services in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021, a penetration rate by 46%. The same report indicates that only 40% of the region’s adult population is connected to mobile Internet services.
Back