Satellite

Intelsat brings internet to WPDI Centres in Africa

Satellite connectivity boosts education in South Sudan and Uganda. (Image source: Intelsat)

Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has announced a landmark partnership with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), founded by Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker

This collaboration aims to transform educational access in conflict-affected areas across Africa by delivering high-speed satellite internet to WPDI’s Community Learning Centers in South Sudan and Uganda, regions where infrastructure remains limited or disrupted.

Through this three-year partnership, Intelsat will provide managed connectivity services, satellite equipment, installation, and ongoing technical support to 10 centres— seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda. This initiative marks the first time these WPDI sites will have reliable internet access, opening the door to modern digital education for thousands of young people in underserved communities.

“Education is the foundation for peace,” said Forest Whitaker. “At WPDI, we use technology as a conduit to opportunity, bringing knowledge to young people whose lives have been upended by violence and political unrest. With the right tools, youths can reclaim their futures to become powerful agents of peace in their communities.”

This partnership addresses the urgent issue of digital inequality. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 19% of people in the least developed countries, such as South Sudan and Uganda, use the internet. The numbers are even lower in conflict-affected regions, creating severe obstacles to education and economic opportunity. By enhancing digital access, WPDI and Intelsat aim to equip learners with the tools to build stronger, more resilient communities.

“At Intelsat, we are great believers in the power of connectivity to promote education and sustainable development around the world,” said Dave Wajsgras, CEO of Intelsat. “Forest Whitaker and WPDI’s efforts represent exactly the kind of transformative work that satellite communications can enable. We’re proud to support WPDI’s efforts to bring young people together, close the digital divide, and create pathways to prosperity in communities that need it most.”

The connectivity enabled by Intelsat will allow WPDI to expand its educational reach, giving students access to digital tools, online courses, and virtual collaboration programs previously unavailable in these remote areas. Learners will also gain digital literacy skills, complementing WPDI’s training in conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and community development. Many WPDI alumni have become leaders in their communities, such as Benson Lugwar, a former child soldier now serving as an elected official and radio host in Uganda.

Rivada and Q-KON advance Africa’s secure connectivity

Q-KON and Rivada Space Networks partner to deliver high-speed, secure satellite connectivity across Africa

Q-KON, a premier satellite services provider, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rivada Space Networks to bring cutting-edge connectivity solutions to Africa and beyond

This collaboration aims to drive digital transformation and expand network infrastructure across the continent.

Under the agreement, Q-KON will utilise Rivada’s Outernet—a revolutionary Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network—to enhance the reliability and security of specialised data networks, especially in sectors demanding high levels of data protection such as finance and banking. The Outernet’s multi-gigabit, bi-directional capabilities and global reach are expected to significantly boost network performance, supporting digital growth and new business opportunities.

Is Outernet ready?

With the rising importance of data sovereignty and resilience, Africa’s connectivity landscape is evolving. The Outernet promises a distinct advantage by delivering not just high-speed, low-latency service, but also robust cybersecurity infrastructure. Its architecture supports future-ready digital frameworks aligned with stringent data safety and privacy norms, fostering increased trust in digital applications and services.

Rivada’s Outernet differs from existing satellite networks by eliminating the need for data to pass through the public internet or third-party systems. It uses laser-linked satellites with onboard processing and an optical mesh structure that routes data entirely through space—from origin to destination. This unique design delivers ultra-secure, low-latency global connectivity, outperforming traditional terrestrial fibre on long routes.

Dr Dawie de Wet, Group CEO of Q-KON, said, “We are pleased to start working with Rivada to develop specialized LEO solutions for the advanced enterprise, industry and government markets in Africa and to complement our growing Twoobii LEO Smart Satellite Services portfolio. We view the Outernet as an evolution on the LEO architecture roadmap that will follow-on and advance the industry from the classic broadband LEO services currently being deployed in Africa, to unlock bespoke applications and high security service-specific user applications.”

Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Space Networks, concluded, “We are delighted to be partnering with Q-KON supporting the development of communications across Africa. Rivada’s Outernet is what data communications has been waiting for – a game-changing constellation which re-defines connectivity in terms of security, latency, capacity, efficiency, and coverage. As a completely new type of LEO constellation, the Outernet can provide Africa with a next-generation digital infrastructure for secure, resilient communications and network expansion.”

Satellite 4G revolution transforms Mali

Intelsat empowers Mali’s digital future with satellite 4G rollout

Intelsat has partnered with Orange Mali to design and deploy an innovative satellite-powered solution aimed at overcoming Mali’s extensive geographic and logistical challenges

The collaboration has resulted in a milestone achievement: the first successful deployment of a satellite-powered 4G network in Francophone West Africa.

This transformative project was built on strong local partnerships and a deep understanding of Mali’s existing infrastructure and unique connectivity needs. By leveraging the capabilities of the Intelsat 23 (IS-23) and Intelsat 10-02 (IS-1002) satellites, Intelsat was able to deliver reliable 3G and 4G connectivity to some of the most remote regions of the country.

To ensure network resilience, Intelsat selected robust, field-proven equipment designed to withstand Mali’s challenging climate and terrain. The company managed every aspect of the network’s installation and operation, allowing Orange Mali to concentrate on its core business. By utilising existing infrastructure where feasible, Intelsat accelerated the deployment timeline and kept implementation costs in check.

Sustaining reliable service is a priority, with Intelsat and its partners providing round-the-clock in-country technical support. Proactive monitoring enables early issue detection and resolution—often before customers experience any disruption. Network experts specialising in VSAT and RAN technologies are also available to assist Orange Mali in optimising performance and efficiency.

The results have been far-reaching. Orange Mali’s satellite capacity has surged from 200 Mbps to over 5 Gbps, supporting connectivity across more than 60 remote sites in 30 regions. More than 360,000 people in previously unreachable areas now have access to mobile and internet services. This expanded connectivity has spurred economic growth, enhanced personal and professional opportunities, and improved quality of life across the country.

In the southern village of Kabala, reliable internet access has created new jobs and enabled local entrepreneurship. In northern Mali, improved communication has encouraged displaced populations to return, restoring community ties. Meanwhile, women across the country are gaining greater access to land, technology, finance, and markets—broadening their contributions to economic development.

For Orange Mali, the enhanced satellite infrastructure has opened doors to new service offerings tailored to businesses and enterprises, reinforcing its position as a key player in Mali’s digital evolution.

This landmark deployment not only connects rural communities but also lays the foundation for broader socio-economic transformation powered by digital inclusion.

This article is based on insights and information from Intelsat’s case study “Bridging Mali’s Digital Divide.” For full details and further information, please visit the original case study at: https://www.intelsat.com/resources/case-studies/bridging-malis-digital-divide/

Vox, Q-KON strengthen LEO satellite services in Africa

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Vox joins Q-KON as a OneWeb Partner, enhancing LEO satellite connectivity options for enterprise customers in Southern Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Q-KON and Vox have announced that Vox has officially become a OneWeb Partner with Q-KON, the provider of Twoobii Super Smart Satellite Solutions for enterprise customers

With a strong reputation in B2B satellite connectivity, Vox has become a choice for LEO (Low Earth Orbit) solution providers. Q-KON has confirmed that Vox has selected Twoobii-OneWeb as its preferred LEO partner.

Enterprise clients of Vox will now benefit from LEO satellite technology, gaining lower latency, greater reliability, and higher data transfer speeds. With this robust connectivity, Vox customers can use Twoobii-OneWeb as a primary connectivity solution or as a backup to existing terrestrial networks.

This partnership has also expanded connectivity options for a previously underserved market segment, now enabling reliable voice services over satellite along with enterprise-grade services featuring defined Quality of Service (QoS) configurations.

Becoming a Twoobii-OneWeb reseller strengthens Vox’s satellite connectivity offering, allowing enterprise customers across Southern Africa to access world-class LEO services. This move further reinforces the business case for satellite connectivity in various industries.

"Securing Vox as a Twoobii-OneWeb reseller represents a valuable extension of our existing partnership and being able to provide world-class LEO services to enterprise customers throughout southern Africa further strengthens the business case for satellite connectivity across all sectors. OneWeb LEO services will further enhance the connectivity options available to our B2B customers," remarked Hendrik Bezuidenhout, account director: key accounts, Q-KON

"Signing up as a OneWeb Partner with Q-KON makes perfect sense as it allows both companies and all our customers to benefit from synergies and added value across the board. African enterprise customers can now look forward to enjoying all the additional benefits of LEO satellite connectivity," commented Theo van Zyl, head of Wireless Solutions, Vox.

"At Vox, we’ve always based our growth on building partnerships with trusted technology companies. Now that we are a partner of the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO service through Q-KON, we can go to market with a full suite of connectivity options," stated Kathleen Morris, satellite product manager, Vox.

Orange, Telesat redefine global satellite connectivity

Orange partners with Telesat to enhance satellite connectivity via a Lightspeed Landing Station in France, improving global network resilience. (Image source: Adobe Stock)1

Global telecom leader Orange has entered into a strategic partnership with Telesat, a major satellite operator, to enhance satellite connectivity options

Through this agreement, Telesat will establish a Lightspeed Landing Station at Orange’s teleport in Bercenay-en-Othe, France. This station will connect to Orange’s Paris-based point of presence (PoP) via its Wholesale International Private Line (IPL). Additionally, Orange has committed to a capacity agreement for Telesat Lightspeed’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) service, which will be incorporated into Orange’s global service portfolio for businesses and telecom providers.

Pioneering satellite partnership

Emmanuel Rochas, CEO of Orange Wholesale International, stated, "I’m greatly honored that Telesat has chosen Orange’s Bercenay-en-Othe Teleport as the first European gateway for their Telesat Lightspeed network. More than that, I’m excited by the new partnership that we’re entering into, which says much about the expertise of Orange Wholesale as a space network operator and our capacity to offer world-class ground infrastructure for the most advanced satellite constellations. We look forward to expanding our connectivity solutions with Telesat Lightspeed, enhancing the resilience of our network for mobile backhauling, crisis response, and remote connectivity."

Telesat’s Chief Commercial Officer, Glenn Katz, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, added, "This strategic partnership highlights our commitment to delivering resilient connectivity solutions through our advanced, fully integrated space and terrestrial infrastructure. We are honored that Telesat Lightspeed will help improve connectivity for Orange’s customers in remote areas in Europe, Africa, and other locations throughout the world. Our Telesat Lightspeed solution has been designed to meet telco standards, and we are pleased to have Orange, one of the largest global telcos, as a Telesat Lightspeed strategic partner."

Telesat Lightspeed’s Carrier Ethernet services will provide reliable, high-performance connectivity with service level agreements. Telecom operators will have the ability to configure and manage their services in real-time, dynamically allocating capacity without direct satellite operator intervention. The network is designed with a Zero-Trust Security Architecture, aligning with the latest industry security standards.

Orange operates ground stations in 26 countries and territories, with its Bercenay-en-Othe teleport playing a key role in delivering advanced connectivity solutions. This partnership strengthens Orange’s service offerings in underserved regions by integrating a secure, low-latency, and seamless satellite connectivity option into its existing multi-orbit satellite network.

By combining Telesat’s cutting-edge satellite innovations with Orange’s 45 years of expertise in gateway and connectivity services, this collaboration enhances global digital infrastructure resilience while furthering digital inclusion in remote areas.

Also read: Orange & Eutelsat’s bold plan: Internet everywhere?