The authorisation for its HYLAS 4 satellite gateway station in Diamniadio, Senegal, has been granted to Avanti Communications
The minister of communications, telecommunications, and digital, Moussa Bocar Thiam, granted the infrastructure operator authorisation on 29 February 2024. This signifies that the state-of-the-art infrastructure of the gateway will now be operational, and Avanti will proceed to the final phase of testing before launching its services.
Complete high-speed national satellite coverage will be provided to Senegal through the launch, marking a significant advancement in the country’s telecommunications landscape and supporting the government’s 'Senegal Digital 2025' strategy.
Reliable, high-speed voice and data will be offered by Avanti’s satellite coverage to Senegal’s rural communities, schools, hospitals, businesses, and government departments, playing a crucial role in improving national security.
The gateway, once operational, is anticipated to be a driving force in Senegal’s digital economy, with the potential to generate local employment opportunities. To actualize this vision, Avanti has committed to investing in Senegal’s growing tech center and has already initiated the recruitment of a team on the ground in Diamniadio.
Kyle Whitehill, CEO at Avanti, said, “This project has been a labour of love for everyone at Avanti and we now look forward to completing our final tests and launching our services. The tech industry in Senegal is accelerating and we look forward to being right at the forefront of its exciting growth trajectory. I want to extend a special thank you to Honourable Mr. Moussa Bocar Thiam, Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Digital, and his technical teams, whose collaboration and commitment to the development of telecommunications have undeniably played a role in the success of this gateway project. Additionally, I’d like to thank the director-general of the regulatory authority for telecommunications and posts and his team for their ongoing support which has played a critical role in securing our license.”
Moussa Bocar Thiam, minister of communications, telecommunications and digital, said, “Our approval of this new gateway reinforces the development of telecommunications in Senegal. The satellite coverage Avanti will provide is set to enhance the lives of millions of people across the country. Critically, the complete national coverage will increase access to high-speed satellite internet in our schools, hospitals and communities - touching the lives of all those who need it.”
In addition to Senegal, the coverage of Avanti’s HYLAS 4 satellite will be extended to the surrounding West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, and Ivory Coast through the new gateway. This positions Senegal as a key digital hub for the region.
Avanti’s carrier customers will also have the capability to extend their reach to rural areas and other semi-urban locations where terrestrial networks are presently limited or unreliable.
