Intelsat and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have successfully deployed more than 3,000 rural base satellite antennas across multiple African countries since 2018. This strategic initiative has brought new telecommunication services to more than 8m people, significantly contributing to bridging the digital divide on the continent.
AMN, a conglomerate specialising in building, owning, operating, and maintaining mobile network infrastructure for Africa’s largest Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), has achieved remarkable progress, particularly in Nigeria. With its largest network now boasting more than 1,350 sites, an additional 450 sites have been added since June 2023. This expansion has extended phone and internet services to more than 3.5m individuals in previously underserved Nigerian communities.
Commenting on the development, Jean Philippe Gillet, SVP of Global Sales for Networks and Media at Intelsat, said: “Through this commitment to bridging the digital divide, we’ve made a significant impact, and 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.”
The partnership’s success has prompted plans for additional operations in Madagascar, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AMN envisions establishing more than 1,340 rural base stations across these new markets, reinforcing its dedication to expanding connectivity and reducing the digital gap.
By combining Intelsat’s extensive multi-satellite coverage in Africa with AMN’s solar-powered tower solution, citizens and businesses in virtually any community now have access to the educational, social, and economic benefits of telecommunication services.
AMN specialises in connecting communities, leveraging a cost-effective model that reduces upfront and ongoing equipment expenses, enabling cell services to reach areas previously deemed economically unviable. The use of satellite technology for “backhaul” connectivity to remote cell towers plays a pivotal role in this model, especially in locations where traditional solutions like fiber-optic cable and microwave are not feasible due to terrain and location constraints.
AMN CEO Mike Darcy added: “Intelsat is a very important partner to AMN. Our strategic partnership has provided essential telecommunication services to 8m people across Africa, and we look forward to growing that number over the coming years.”
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