Eutelsat and unconnected.org to expand Africa's WiFi

Eutelsat has formed a strategic partnership with unconnected.org to broaden access to community Wi-Fi services across Africa using the EUTELSAT KONNECT high-throughput satellite platform

The collaboration will begin in Tanzania, where unconnected.org plans to roll out the KONNECT community Wi-Fi offering through partnerships with local internet service providers, non-governmental organisations, system integrators and public sector stakeholders. The initiative is structured around a commercial framework aimed at accelerating returns on investment, increasing connectivity in underserved and remote regions, and ensuring sustainable long-term service delivery.

Both organisations intend to use the Tanzanian launch as a foundation for expansion into other African markets, working together to scale digital inclusion efforts across the continent.

Delivered via the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, the community Wi-Fi solution is designed to provide high-speed internet access in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial infrastructure. This enables institutions such as schools and healthcare centres, as well as small enterprises, to connect to critical online tools and services.

Operating from the 7° East orbital slot, EUTELSAT KONNECT is a high-throughput satellite built to offer enhanced operational flexibility and substantial broadband capacity across Africa.

Philippe Baudrier, Eutelsat’s Vice President for Africa, said “Through EUTELSAT KONNECT, we are already seeing the tangible impact that satellite broadband can have in communities across Africa — from schools and clinics to local entrepreneurs. Partnering with unconnected.org allows us to extend this reach even further, supporting the development of sustainable, community-based connectivity that delivers real social and economic value.”

Mea Thompson, CCO, of unconnected.org, said “Eutelsat KONNECT plays a critical role in Tanzania by extending connectivity into areas that have historically been impossible to serve in a sustainable way. By lowering the cost of backhaul, it enables viable business models that allow local ISPs and community partners to achieve a return on investment while connecting the unconnected. This is exactly the kind of solution needed to scale digital access in a way that is both impactful and commercially sustainable.”

The partnership reinforces Eutelsat’s broader digital inclusion strategy. In early 2025, the company surpassed a significant benchmark by connecting one million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to satellite internet, achieving its target two years ahead of schedule under the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition led by the International Telecommunication Union.