Eutelsat Group and Bayobab, a subsidiary of the MTN Group, have signed a multi-year agreement to utilize the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capacity of Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation. This collaboration aims to meet the connectivity needs for businesses and cellular backhaul, offering reliable solutions that will enhance network performance and customer experience across Africa.
Bayobab, a renowned leading provider of digital services and infrastructure in Africa, will leverage the OneWeb constellation to deliver fixed connectivity services. This partnership is designed to enhance coverage in rural areas, providing high-quality connectivity with lower latency. The deployment roadmap is expected to be completed continent-wide by December 2024, with services already available in four African countries.
Cyril Dujardin, Co-President of Eutelsat’s Connectivity Business Unit, stated, “We are proud to have Bayobab and the MTN Group among the early adopters of Eutelsat/OneWeb’s LEO constellation in Africa. This partnership underscores Eutelsat and Bayobab’s commitment to digital inclusion and the relevance of innovative satellite solutions in achieving this goal, particularly the unique properties of LEO capacity, which offers low latency and ubiquitous coverage.”
Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab, added, “At Bayobab, we are passionate about leading the way in harnessing technology to empower people and businesses in Africa. Our partnership with Eutelsat and the integration of OneWeb’s LEO satellite services into our solutions is a testament to this commitment. This collaboration brings cutting-edge digital connectivity to the most remote corners of the continent and reaffirms our promise to ‘Connect Africa’, a promise based on partnership and guided by a vision of a digitally inclusive future.”
The partnership between Eutelsat and Bayobab marks a significant advancement in bridging the digital divide in Africa. The deployment and integration of LEO satellite technology will provide enhanced connectivity solutions that empower communities throughout the continent, facilitating greater digital inclusion and more equitable access to technology.