Africa

Intelsat S.A., operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, has announced that Vodacom Mozambique has signed an agreement for a satellite solution that will provide 3G services that uniquely satisfy the growing data demand generated by the tourism sector.

Newtec, the Belgian specialist company in the design, development and manufacture of equipment for satellite communications, announced on 12 November 2018 its technology will be used by leading satellite operator NIGCOMSAT as it expands its enterprise, government, and consumer Ka-band broadband services in Nigeria.

As part of significant defence reforms being proposed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia is considering the creation of a Cyber Security and Space Force, that if implemented, will operate under the command of the Ethiopian military.

Ethiopian scientists and engineers are building a small Earth observation satellite in cooperation with and with funding from China, which will be launched from China in 2019, according to a report in The East African newspaper. This announcement is the culmination of much effort to bring Ethiopian space ambitions to reality.

Nigeria is lobbying the African Union (AU) to host its African Space Centre, according to a report published in the Nigerian newspaper Independent on 29 October 2018.

A team including satellite communications innovator Goonhilly Earth Station and a consortium of universities and institutes led by the University of Leeds’ School of Physics and Astronomy today announced that they have won a Better Satellite World Award for the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project.

Intelsat S.A. and Q-KON have announced that Q-KON will introduce new, multiple high-speed broadband services powered by the IntelsatOne Flex for Enterprise platform.

Intelsat S.A. and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have announced that Intelsat has made a strategic investment in AMN. The purpose of the investment is to accelerate the deployment of mobile connectivity to unserved communities across multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Local television broadcast audiences in Nigeria will now have access to 13 new free-to-air (FTA) channels delivered as a multi-channel bouquet branded ‘PREMIUM.FREE’. The bouquet’s launch channels will be supplied by AfricaXP and delivered via SES satellites at 28.2 degrees East, SES has announced.

UAE’s Yahsat continues its rapid expansion in the African market with its announcement that it is rolling out its YahClick satellite broadband service in Zimbabwe as part of its long-term mission to increase Internet penetration in Africa and bridge the Digital Divide.