Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) is proud to announce that it has achieved its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition pledge, backed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), two years ahead of schedule. This milestone marks the connection of 1 million underserved people in Sub-Saharan Africa to reliable high-speed internet via satellite, reinforcing Eutelsat’s commitment to bridging the digital divide—a key pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy—and advancing progress toward the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Eutelsat’s Konnect hotspots Wi-Fi services, powered by the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, have been instrumental in delivering affordable, high-speed internet to rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, where terrestrial networks remain inaccessible. With speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps at competitive rates, the service has empowered individuals, schools, businesses, and healthcare centers to access essential digital resources, unlocking opportunities for education, e-commerce, and critical services.
Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat Group, commented: “Reaching this milestone means 1 million people now have access to vital information, education, and communication resources through our Konnect solution. This achievement highlights our commitment to digital inclusion and underscores how we leverage cutting-edge satellite network solutions to meet the challenging demands for low-cost, high-availability, and trusted services in Africa. With both Eutelsat’s GEO satellite fleet and OneWeb’s LEO constellation, we are expanding our reach and ensuring that connectivity drives meaningful economic and social progress, empowering communities to thrive in the digital era.”
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU said: "Eutelsat's achievements in satellite connectivity have been instrumental in providing reliable and affordable high-speed broadband to individuals, businesses, schools and healthcare centres in underserved regions. This work underscores Eutelsat’s commitment to bridging the digital divide while contributing to ITU’s goal of delivering meaningful connectivity to everyone, everywhere.”