Reaching the unreachable with satellite power

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.