Satellite

NTT DATA MEA launches LEO connectivity services

NTT DATA MEA launches LEO-based connectivity for key sectors, ensuring reliable and enhanced network performance, driving business transformation. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

NTT DATA Middle East and Africa, a leading digital business and IT services provider, has launched Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) based connectivity services for nine key clients across various sectors, including retail, banking, mining, and logistics

These services are designed to improve network performance and deliver a consistent and enhanced client experience.

NTT DATA’s investment in LEO satellite services addresses the challenges posed by frequent disruptions caused by fibre cable breaks or power outages (such as load shedding). By leveraging LEO technology, the company ensures a more reliable and continuous connection for businesses throughout the region. While NTT DATA has been offering satellite services for over a decade, their integrated GEO-LEO solution, combined with existing fibre and wireless alternatives, significantly enhances performance. This improvement benefits multiple use-cases, including access to latency-sensitive applications and real-time services like video conferencing.

Unlike some competitors who have recently announced partnerships for satellite technology, NTT DATA has taken a vertical approach, focusing on targeted deployments for key clients in specific industries. Their commitment to deploying this solution underscores their dedication to providing reliable connectivity solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses in the Middle East and Africa

Greg Hatfield, vice-president of infrastructure solutions at NTT DATA explained, “Our approach is to provide LEO-based connectivity solutions using industry specific full-stack architecture. This enables business transformation for our clients, as opposed to simply connecting their locations. The enhanced attributes of LEO only reach their full potential when used in an integrated infrastructure and application ecosystem tailored to the requirements of the organisation. Our strategy has always been to use the breadth and depth of our expertise as NTT DATA to deliver more than just a different flavour of connectivity.”

NTT DATA’s LEO Satellite Services: A holistic approach

While the Middle East and Africa benefit from traditional communication technologies like fiber and wireless, there’s a renewed interest in satellite services, particularly those leveraging Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. NTT DATA, as a comprehensive IT services provider, seamlessly integrates LEO satellite offerings into their holistic technology approach for client success. Their vendor-agnostic stance ensures tailored solutions that address regulatory complexities, risk management, and seamless integration across the region.

“Addressing the unique needs of our clients demands a tailored approach. Our aim is to ensure that LEO satellite is an option for our clients, no matter where they are on the continent,” continued Hatfield. “As specialist aggregators and integrators we can go all the way up their stack to integrate LEO-based connectivity solutions into any other element of their infrastructure.”

LEO-based connectivity solutions offer many benefits including lower latency and improved coverage, marking an exciting step towards connecting every business, everywhere. “We are incredibly excited to have already started the deployment of this transformative satellite technology to our clients. It aligns perfectly with our vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive business transformation. More than that though, it provides a safeguard for our clients that ensures their businesses are appropriately connected at all times, helping them to compete and win,” concluded Hatfield.

Yahsat and SATCOM enhance Zimbabwe connectivity

Yahsat partners with SATCOM Technologies to deliver advanced satellite communications solutions in Zimbabwe. (Image source: GITEX Africa)

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE's premier satellite solutions provider, has entered into a partnership with SATCOM Technologies to explore fresh satellite communications prospects in Zimbabwe

This collaboration marks a significant stride in Yahsat's ongoing expansion across the African continent, facilitating pivotal economic sectors, governmental bodies, and organizations to leverage satellite connectivity. Yahsat's strategic alliance with SATCOM Technologies aims to bolster its footprint in Africa, with a shared objective of closely engaging with the Zimbabwe Government. Operations are slated to commence in June.

Under the service partner agreement, Yahsat and SATCOM Technologies will combine their expertise to pursue government initiatives by delivering innovative, dependable, and efficient satellite-driven connectivity solutions tailored to Zimbabwe's national imperatives and developmental aspirations, potentially revolutionising the country's connectivity and technological landscape.

The partnership seeks to address the escalating demands of diverse sectors including mining, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Sulaiman Al Ali, chief commercial officer of Yahsat, remarked, "We are proud to partner with SATCOM Technologies to deliver our cutting-edge satellite connectivity solutions to Zimbabwe. This strategic partnership is a testament to our commitment to enhancing connectivity across the continent, supporting the digital transformation journey of African nations, and improving access to essential services for all."

Tafadzwa Collins Semu, CEO of SATCOM Technologies, said, "We are excited to join forces with Yahsat to unlock the immense potential of satellite connectivity in Zimbabwe. Our partnership will play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide, fostering economic growth, and enabling access to vital services for our communities."

Yahsat's innovative and advanced solutions have been embraced across numerous African nations, bolstering economic progress and facilitating connectivity in areas previously underserved or unserved. This role is anticipated to be further strengthened with the forthcoming launch of the Thuraya 4 satellite later this year.

The next-generation satellite will extend coverage and advanced services to the African continent, heralding a new era of connectivity. The collaboration with SATCOM Technologies reaffirms Yahsat's commitment to empowering digital transformation across the continent, facilitating crucial services such as telemedicine and e-learning.

Yahsat is currently showcasing its cutting-edge satellite communications solutions at GITEX Africa 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco, from 29 to 31 May.

Eutelsat & Yahsat: Broadband expansion in Africa

Eutelsat and Yahsat collaborate to expand broadband services in Africa, leveraging EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite capacity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Eutelsat Group and YahClick, the data solutions arm of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat), the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, have collaborated to expand broadband services in Africa, leveraging EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite capacity

This agreement allows YahClick to utilise capacity on Eutelsat’s geostationary satellite, EUTELSAT KONNECT.

This collaboration between the two prominent satellite operators aligns with Yahsat’s strategic goals to enhance its services and foster growth across its satellite broadband footprint in Africa. It aims to offer improved services and extend into new markets within Africa and beyond. As part of this arrangement, Yahsat gains exclusive rights to Eutelsat’s KONNECT capacity over Ethiopia, a rapidly expanding market in Africa.

Launched in November 2020, EUTELSAT KONNECT is a high-throughput satellite that provides substantial resources for broadband services, boasting 75 Gbps of capacity across a network of 65 spotbeams. Initially serving Europe and Africa, the satellite's entire capacity is gradually being dedicated to offering coverage specifically tailored for Africa.

Sulaiman Al Ali, chief commercial officer of Yahsat, remarked, ‘We are delighted to partner with Eutelsat and have access to state-of-the-art orbital assets, to support our satellite network. This partnership shall enable us to further enhance our portfolio and drive growth of our ‘YahClick’ broadband services to consumer and enterprise markets. Yahsat supported Eutelsat in the early years of its African Broadband journey, and we are happy to be collaborating once again to ensure our existing and future customers benefit from the highest level of service and availability.”

Ghassan Murat, Eutelsat’s regional vice-president of the AMEA region added, “We are honoured to further deepen our ties with our long-standing partner, Yahsat. Yahsat’s strong presence in Africa and the Middle East through the successful deployment of its YahClick satellite broadband service, together with the uptake we are seeing as we progressively transfer EUTELSAT KONNECT capacity to Africa highlight the buoyant demand for robust broadband services in the market, and the pertinence of satellite in connecting users, even in the most remote locations.”

Liquid and Eutelsat bring LEO services to Africa

Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Eutelsat Group forge partnership to bring cutting-edge LEO Satellite services to Africa. (Image source: Liquid Intelligent Technologies)

Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a pan-African technology group, announced a distribution partner agreement (DPA) with Eutelsat Group

This partnership will bring enterprise-grade Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services to Africa. Eutelsat Group, as the world’s first satellite operator with an integrated GEO-LEO infrastructure, is a key collaborator in this endeavor.

“Liquid has always been committed to technological innovation in Africa,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies. “Our collaboration with Eutelsat signifies a milestone in bringing cutting-edge LEO services to our customers across multiple countries in Africa, empowering them with high-speed solutions and unlocking new possibilities for connectivity.”

“We are thrilled to work with Liquid to introduce new connectivity services throughout Africa. Liquid has a proven track record and a longstanding commitment to connect African businesses. Working together and leveraging Eutelsat Group’s innovative LEO services, we can unlock new opportunities for enterprises and communities. We look forward to the positive impacts we can have to help Liquid’s customers flourish, especially in the mining industry in Central Africa,” said Philippe Baudrier, vice-president Connectivity, Africa.

The integration of the OneWeb LEO satellite network by Liquid Dataport is strategic. It not only delivers low-latency satellite services but also introduces a network interconnect, enabling seamless integration across LEO satellite access and Liquid Dataport core network infrastructure.

The OneWeb LEO satellites represent a paradigm shift in satellite technology. They offer lower latency, faster orbital periods, and higher bandwidth. For Liquid Dataport’s customers, this translates to enhanced performance for cloud computing, video conferencing, real-time applications, and more. Additionally, Liquid Dataport’s LEO services include enterprise access with Internet breakout and Point-to-Point services, providing versatile solutions for diverse business needs.

Beyond technical advantages, Liquid Dataport’s expanded reach enhances customer experience, positioning it as a preferred one-stop shop for connectivity and related services.

As Eutelsat’s OneWeb network coverage matures, Liquid Dataport plans systematic service expansion. This aligns with the growing demand for low-latency primary and backup services in remote African regions, benefiting businesses across various industries. The strategic move anticipates the surge in new LEO satellite constellations over the next three years, offering agile and cost-effective solutions for market entry and expansion.

For Liquid Intelligent Technologies, this collaboration with Eutelsat extends beyond services—it’s about launching opportunities that foster progress and innovation across the African continent.

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