Sabine Lanjock
TechInAfrica – A milestone in bringing mobile connectivity to unserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa has now been reached, as announced Intelsat operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite communications, and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN), an integrator of mobile network infrastructure. Building upon a partnership announced in the fall of 2018, in less than a year, approximately 525 remote cell sites have been connected, with the goal of expanding mobile coverage to other parts of the region by the end of 2019.
“As both a global corporation and a global citizen, Intelsat is committed to investing in accelerating the adoption of mobile connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa and closing the digital divide,” said Intelsat Vice President and general manager Jean-Philippe Gillet. “Through this partnership, we are now providing access to mobile coverage for the first time to approximately 1.7 million people living in remote communities across several countries that many thought were impossible to connect.”
AMN has developed a low-cost solution, powered by a highly reliable small cell solar system that can be deployed quickly in less than six hours. Indeed, so far, the cost of expansion and geographical complexities in remote rural areas of Africa have made it extremely difficult for communities, individuals and businesses in these regions to establish connectivity. Combined with the power, performance and efficiency of the three Intelsat EpicNG high-speed satellites, as well as the additional 23 satellites covering the African continent, AMN and Intelsat provide a fast, cost-effective, reliable mobile network infrastructure that can easily adapt to new data demands.
“Intelsat shares our vision of installing a cell site in every African village,” said AMN chief executive officer Michael Darcy. “Like us, they recognize that when you close the connectivity gap in sub-Saharan Africa, you can bring about significant positive change in people’s lives. Using Intelsat’s technology, our two companies can make that vision a reality.”
Source : www.biztechafrica.com
