Satellite

Intelsat launches satellite cellular backhaul in Lagos, enhancing connectivity for MNOs and ISPs in Nigeria and West Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Intelsat, recognised as one of the world’s leading operators of integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has launched a new satellite cellular backhaul service platform at the Open Access Datacenter (WIOCC) in Lagos, Nigeria

This initiative represents a significant advancement in enhancing connectivity infrastructure throughout Nigeria and Africa.

Despite some progress, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face substantial gaps in usage and coverage, with figures standing at 59% and 15%, respectively. Nearly half of the 400 million individuals lacking mobile broadband coverage globally reside in this region. A major hurdle in bridging this divide, particularly in rural areas, is the high costs and slow implementation of traditional infrastructure expansion methods, which often discourage investment due to low returns.

The Intelsat CellBackhaul Nigeria service offers a fully managed cellular backhaul solution, aimed at assisting mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) in Nigeria and West Africa. This service will help address the challenges of expanding mobile coverage in the area, facilitating swift and economical network growth through Intelsat’s satellite and terrestrial infrastructure. The new solution for Nigeria will complement existing platforms in several other African nations, reaching millions across thousands of cell towers.

“This is a great day for Intelsat, Nigeria and West Africa, bringing new capabilities and solutions to the market. Satellite technology is critical to closing the digital divide. To connect unconnected populations in rural and remote locations, satellite backhaul is often the most viable option for a rapid, reliable, cost-effective connectivity solution,” said Rhys Morgan, RVP, EMEA, Intelsat.

Eutelsat OneWeb trains local partners in Africa to accelerate the rollout of its LEO satellite network, boosting high-speed internet access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Eutelsat OneWeb is expanding its footprint in Africa, advancing its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across Angola, Botswana, and Zimbabwe

As part of its efforts, the company has been training local partners on the cutting-edge LEO technology in preparation for the network’s rollout.

Recently, Eutelsat OneWeb conducted a training session at the NEC XON facility in Midrand, South Africa, where its technical experts hosted representatives from Dandemutande Investments Private Limited, TelOne Zimbabwe, and Paratus Group. The session was designed to demonstrate the network’s capabilities and equip partners with the skills needed for user terminal installations, ensuring smooth service delivery across the region.

This initiative reflects Eutelsat OneWeb’s dedication to fostering local expertise as its LEO network becomes available. By empowering partners with in-depth knowledge of LEO technology, the company aims to accelerate the deployment of its satellite-based internet, improving connectivity for underserved communities and businesses throughout Africa.

Vodafone and Intelsat partner to deliver expanded satellite connectivity for enterprises, governments, and charities in remote and disaster-affected areas. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Vodafone and Intelsat, the satellite and terrestrial network operator, have extended their partnership to enhance satellite connectivity services for organisations operating in remote or disaster-affected areas

This expanded collaboration will support Vodafone's terrestrial networks by offering broadband solutions to enterprises in underserved regions. Businesses, governments, and charities will be able to utilise the service for multiple purposes, such as tracking cargo, connecting temporary sites, ensuring resilience, and responding to emergencies.

Vodafone is incorporating Intelsat’s Flex portfolio into its satellite connectivity offerings for both private and public sectors globally. The service, powered by a network of GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) satellites, includes two secure and reliable satellite connectivity options: Communications-on-the-Move (COTM), which uses a vehicle-mounted antenna, and Communications-on-the-Pause (COTP), which features a compact satellite terminal.

Additionally, Vodafone Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, will use Intelsat’s services to support its health and education initiatives across Europe and Africa. The Foundation is also prepared to assist NGOs, governments, and relief agencies in responding to environmental and humanitarian crises.

Marika Auramo, CEO of Vodafone Business, stated, “Vodafone’s agreement with Intelsat adds depth and breadth to our global network. With these new services, we can provide additional connectivity and resilience to customers in some of the hardest to reach places, whether they’re on the move, or need to quickly establish communications following an environmental or humanitarian disaster.”

Jean Philippe Gillet,senior vice-president at Intelsat, added, “The welfare of communities and their citizens is increasingly linked to the ability to access reliable connectivity services. The goal of our Flex services is to make it easier for our customers to leverage the reach and reliability of Intelsat’s network to deliver connectivity wherever they may operate, be it charitable initiatives like the Vodafone Foundation or connectivity for global enterprises, industrial operations, or rapid-response organizations.”

This agreement also aligns with Vodafone's ongoing work on direct-to-smartphone connectivity through low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology.

AMN is dedicated its vision of a fully connected world. (Image source: AMN)

Africa Mobile Networks, a group of companies with a vision of building mobile network base stations serving rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa, has utilised SpaceX’s Starlink constellation to provide satellite backhaul at more than 100 of its rural base stations in Nigeria

On average, traffic has increased by approximately 45% across all sites that have been migrated to use LEO backhaul and the organisation expects to double the number of sites using the constellation by the end of the year.

By using Starlink’s LEO constellation to provide mobile backhaul, AMN is able to unlock the full capability of the AMN Radio Node (ARN) to support the ever-increasing amounts of bandwidth and data volumes demanded by subscribers.

The flexibility of AMN’s Radio Node has also contributed to the traffic increase across these sites. AMN’s ARN is a multi-carrier and multi-technology (2G/3G/4G) radio node which can operate up to 5 simultaneous carriers in either 2G+ 3G or 2G+4G configuration. By using LEO backhaul in conjunction with the software-defined AMN Radio Node, AMN has been able to increase the BTS capacity remotely with no change to the existing BTS hardware on site. Some rural AMN sites are processing more than 25,000 voice minutes per day. Prior to the installation of AMN’s base station, many of these communities did not have access to any mobile network.