Sylvia Duruson
Eutelsat Group and Bayobab have entered into a multi-year agreement to utilise low-Earth orbit (LEO) capacity on Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation. This partnership aims to deliver fixed connectivity services throughout Africa, addressing the needs of enterprises and cellular backhaul.
Eutelsat Group, formed in 2023 through the merger of Eutelsat and OneWeb, stands as the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator. The company boasts a fleet of 35 geostationary satellites and a LEO constellation comprising over 600 satellites.
Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, brings its extensive terrestrial fiber footprint to the partnership. With 114,000km of fiber across Africa and connections to 16 subsea cables, Bayobab is well-positioned to leverage Eutelsat’s LEO technology.
The collaboration seeks to enhance coverage in rural areas, providing high-quality connectivity with reduced latency. Implementation is set to be completed across the continent by December 2024, with services already available in four African countries.
Cyril Dujardin, co-president of Eutelsat Group’s Connectivity Business Unit, emphasized the significance of this partnership in driving digital inclusion across Africa. He highlighted the unique properties of ubiquitous, low latency LEO capacity in achieving this goal.
Bayobab CEO Frédéric Schepens expressed enthusiasm about integrating OneWeb’s LEO satellite services into Bayobab’s solutions. This integration aims to bring cutting-edge digital connectivity to even the most remote areas of the continent.
Both companies view this partnership as a crucial step in bridging the digital divide in Africa. The deployment of LEO satellite technology is expected to empower communities across the continent with enhanced connectivity solutions.
This agreement is part of a broader trend of expanding network reach across Africa. In May 2024, Liquid Intelligent Technologies partnered with Eutelsat Group to offer enterprise-grade LEO satellite services in Africa through its Liquid Dataport business.
January 2024 saw Eutelsat OneWeb sign a deal with Paratus South Africa to enhance connectivity offerings, particularly in rural areas. Bayobab has also been expanding its reach, announcing plans in June 2024 to build a fiber optic cable network across South Sudan.
In November 2023, Bayobab further demonstrated its commitment to pan-African connectivity by signing a memorandum of understanding with Smart Africa Alliance and Africa50. This agreement supports the Project East2West initiative, which aims to connect Africa’s eastern and western shores via terrestrial fiber.
The collaboration between Eutelsat and Bayobab represents a significant advancement in African telecommunications infrastructure. By combining satellite technology with existing terrestrial networks, the partnership promises to extend reliable internet access to previously underserved areas.
As implementation progresses, the impact of this agreement on Africa’s digital landscape will be closely watched. The success of this venture could pave the way for similar partnerships, potentially accelerating the continent’s digital transformation and economic development.
