Intelsat expands satellite backhaul services in Nigeria and West Africa

Written by Copernical Team Tuesday, 22 October 2024 20:55

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 18, 2024

Intelsat, a leading operator of satellite and terrestrial networks, has launched a new satellite cellular backhaul platform in Lagos, Nigeria. The platform, based at the Open Access Datacenter (WIOCC), represents a key step in enhancing connectivity infrastructure across Nigeria and West Africa. While connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa has improved, the region continues to face significant

Intelsat expands satellite backhaul services in Nigeria and West Africa
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 18, 2024

Intelsat, a leading operator of satellite and terrestrial networks, has launched a new satellite cellular backhaul platform in Lagos, Nigeria. The platform, based at the Open Access Datacenter (WIOCC), represents a key step in enhancing connectivity infrastructure across Nigeria and West Africa.

While connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa has improved, the region continues to face significant usage and coverage gaps, at 59% and 15% respectively. With nearly 200 million people lacking mobile broadband coverage in this region, expanding mobile networks has proven difficult due to high infrastructure costs and low returns on investment, particularly in rural areas.

The newly introduced Intelsat CellBackhaul Nigeria service is designed to assist mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) in overcoming these challenges. Leveraging Intelsat's satellite and terrestrial network, the service will enable the rapid and cost-effective expansion of mobile coverage. This solution will be integrated with existing platforms across Africa, supporting millions of users via thousands of cell towers.

"This is a great day for Intelsat, Nigeria and West Africa, bringing new capabilities and solutions to the market. Satellite technology is critical to closing the digital divide. To connect unconnected populations in rural and remote locations, satellite backhaul is often the most viable option for a rapid, reliable, cost-effective connectivity solution," said Rhys Morgan, RVP, EMEA, Intelsat.