from OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – INTELSAT and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) reveal they have provided new telecommunication services to more than 8 million people through deployment of over 3 000 rural base satellite antennas across several African countries since 2018.
Intelsat is the operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks. AMN is a group of companies that builds, owns, operates and maintains mobile network infrastructure servicing Africa’s largest mobile network operators.
AMN’s largest network is in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Its network now features more than 1 350 sites.
With more than 450 sites added since June 2023, the collaboration now provides phone and internet services to more than 3,5 million people in previously unconnected Nigerian communities.
“Through this commitment to bridging the digital divide, we’ve made a significant impact,” said Philippe Gillet, SVP of Global Sales for Networks and Media at Intelsat.
“We look forward to furthering our mission of connectivity, ensuring that more communities can access the benefits of telecommunication services. Together with AMN, we aim to make a lasting difference in Africa’s digital landscape.”
Intelsat and AMN are planning additional operations in Madagascar, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. AMN expects to build more than 1 340 rural base stations across the three new markets.
AMN specialises in connecting communities, reducing upfront and ongoing equipment costs while allowing cell services to be extended into areas where traditionally it was not economically viable to do so.
The use of satellite to provide backhau” connectivity to remote cell towers is integral to this business model. The location and terrain of these towers often do not allow backhaul solutions like fibre-optic cable and microwave to be used.
Mike Darcy, Chief Executive Officer of AMN, commended Intelsat is an important partner.
“Our strategic partnership has provided essential telecommunication services to 8 million people across Africa, and we look forward to growing that number over the coming years,” he concluded.
– CAJ News