Satellite

New satellite broadband venture targets South Africa's hardest-to-reach communities. (Image source: Amazon)

Amazon Leo has signed an agreement with Herotel to introduce satellite broadband services in South Africa through a new offering, evry, marking the first partnership of its kind for Amazon Leo on the African continent

Expected to launch commercially in 2027, evry will combine Amazon Leo's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network with Herotel's nationwide service infrastructure to extend high-speed internet to residential customers in areas where fibre and fixed wireless networks remain difficult or uneconomical to deploy.

The initiative targets South Africa's underserved rural communities, farms and small towns, where challenging terrain, long distances and low population density have limited the expansion of conventional broadband infrastructure.

Amazon Leo's satellites operate at an altitude of approximately 590 km, significantly closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites positioned more than 35,000 km away. This lower orbit enables reduced latency, supporting applications such as video conferencing, online learning, streaming and remote working. Customers will access the service using compact satellite antennas without requiring fibre or fixed wireless infrastructure at their premises.

Herotel, South Africa's largest fixed internet service provider, currently serves more than 350,000 active customers across over 550 towns through its fibre and fixed wireless networks. Its network of 120 local offices will provide installation, field support and customer service for the new satellite offering.

"Amazon Leo and Herotel share the same mission to empower all South Africans through access to high-speed internet. Herotel has spent years building connectivity across South Africa's farming towns, small businesses, and communities on the outskirts, and with Amazon Leo they can now reach even more people," said David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer. "This collaboration is about breaking down barriers and unlocking opportunity for millions of people who don't yet have reliable access for work, education, or the services they depend on."

"We have always believed that South Africans outside the major metros deserve reliable, affordable internet," said Van Zyl Botha, CEO of Herotel. "With evry, powered by Amazon Leo, we will reach the customers that even fiber and fixed wireless cannot serve. It no longer matters where you live."

The announcement builds on Amazon's expanding connectivity initiatives across Africa. In addition to the Herotel partnership, Amazon Leo is working with Vanu to extend cellular connectivity to rural communities, beginning in South Africa. These efforts aim to improve digital inclusion across southern Africa, where nearly a quarter of the population remains outside mobile network coverage. According to Access Partnership, wider adoption of non-geostationary satellite systems could generate up to US$16.9bn in annual economic benefits for the region.

Amazon Leo has deployed more than 390 satellites and expects to begin providing initial services across selected regions this year before progressively expanding coverage and network capacity.

Thales Alenia Space and Es’hailSat develop next-generation satellite to expand broadband connectivity across global strategic markets

Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, to develop a next-generation software-defined satellite based on its Space INSPIRE (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) platform

The agreement marks a new step in advanced satellite communications, with the Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni satellite set to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity services across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The satellite will be jointly utilised with Turkish satellite operator Türksat.

Built on the Space INSPIRE platform, Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will feature advanced flexibility through a fully software-defined architecture, allowing in-orbit adjustments to respond quickly to changing broadband connectivity requirements. The technology will enable Es’hailSat to optimise satellite resources and provide enhanced communications services throughout the satellite’s operational lifetime.

As the prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will oversee the complete satellite programme, including design, manufacturing, testing and delivery of the spacecraft. The company will also provide the ground segment and related services required to support satellite operations.

The partnership highlights Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its satellite communications capabilities while expanding connectivity services across strategic global markets.

“The signing of this contract with Thales Alenia Space marks a defining moment for Es’hailSat and for Qatar’s ambitions as a leading satellite service provider. Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will not only expand our coverage and capabilities into new strategic markets, but also strengthen the resilience and independence of Qatar’s communications infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with our industrial partner, Thales Alenia Space, to deliver high-performing communications services to our customers,” said Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, president and CEO at Es’hailSat.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Es’hailSat for putting its trust in our company,” said Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Today’s contract is significant for Thales Alenia Space as it recognizes our ability to offer an innovative, fully digitalized telecommunications satellite that can be reprogrammed in orbit, along with the capability to integrate hosted payloads serving both commercial and governmental requirements.”

Mercury strengthens satellite connectivity network

Eutelsat and Mercury, a subsidiary of Sonangol Group and a leading telecommunications services provider in Angola, have entered into a new multi-year, multi-million agreement to deliver Eutelsat’s LEO connectivity services

Building on the longstanding partnership between the two companies, Mercury, formerly known as MSTelcom, will continue expanding the availability of Eutelsat’s LEO services for enterprise, public sector, offshore and telecom customers across Angola.

Eutelsat remains the only licensed LEO operator currently operating in Angola and has established a significant presence in the country through its local partners. With investments in local infrastructure, including a ground station and local point of presence (PoP), alongside its continued commitment to Angola, Eutelsat has strengthened its position as a leading satellite connectivity provider in the country.

Through these capabilities, Eutelsat supports the delivery of low-latency connectivity services across Angola and the wider region, enabling organisations to access reliable communications beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure.

Philippe Baudrier, VP Africa at Eutelsat, said, “This new commitment from Mercury reflects the growing demand for Eutelsat’s LEO services in Angola and the continued success of our longstanding partnership. Together, we are expanding access to secure, low-latency connectivity across the country, helping enterprise, public sector, offshore, and telecom customers strengthen network resilience and reach locations beyond the coverage of traditional infrastructure.”

Francisco Pinto Leite, CEO, Mercury, added, “This new agreement reflects the strength of our partnership with Eutelsat and the value that LEO connectivity brings to our customers. Together, we are expanding the range of connectivity solutions available across Angola and helping organizations meet evolving communications requirements.”

Uganda approves Starlink operations after signing licensing agreement to boost internet access and digital transformation. (Image source: Ministry of ICT & National Guidence)

Starlink has received official approval to commence operations in Uganda after signing a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licensing agreement with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) at State House in Entebbe on 15 May 2026

The agreement represents a significant development in Uganda’s efforts to improve internet accessibility and accelerate national digital transformation initiatives.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni attended the signing ceremony and acknowledged Starlink’s commitment to operating within Uganda’s legal and regulatory requirements. “Our interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are,” president Museveni said.

He further expressed satisfaction with the company’s readiness to meet Uganda’s operational conditions ahead of launching services in the country.

Following the signing, the Uganda Communications Commission issued the necessary operational certification required for Starlink’s deployment within the country. Under the licensing terms, the company must establish a national gateway, maintain a physical presence in Uganda and operate a local office staffed with technical and legal personnel.

The rollout is expected to enhance internet access across the country, particularly in rural and underserved regions where connectivity challenges remain significant.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ryan Goodnight described the agreement as an important development for both Uganda and Starlink.

“It is a great honor to be here in this beautiful country. We are incredibly excited that we are forging this cooperation and bringing this network here,” he said.

He added that Starlink intends to support wider digital participation by reducing internet costs and expanding access to reliable connectivity services.

Goodnight also announced plans for the company to support sectors including healthcare and education through the donation of internet connectivity devices to selected facilities across Uganda.

Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance welcomed the partnership, noting that it could strengthen innovation, improve digital inclusion and create new opportunities across sectors such as business, education, healthcare and communications.

The introduction of Starlink services is expected to play a key role in Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda by expanding connectivity access nationwide.