A new distribution partnership agreement for high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity across Africa has been announced.
OneWeb, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, and iSAT Africa Ltd, an integrated communications services provider, have announced that they have signed an agreement that will, they say, bring together the innovative LEO satellite technology of OneWeb and the extensive experience of iSAT Africa in rural connectivity, fixed and mobile satellite services, enterprise, and broadcasting solutions in Africa.
Connecting the unconnected and serving underserved communities of Africa, will, iSAT Africa says, help it to grow the regional economy, improve access to education and health care, and give people and communities across the continent more power by providing reliable, high-speed broadband connection.
iSAT Africa will work closely with OneWeb to deliver broadband connectivity throughout Central, Western, and Eastern Africa markets in the near future. It will offer a variety of integrated communication solutions for enterprise connectivity, remote access, and rural connectivity, tailored to fit the needs of businesses and communities in Africa.
OneWeb recently completed its global constellation. Under this DPA OneWeb says it will continue to facilitate global connectivity, reaching areas that had previously been underserved and too remote for reliable connectivity.
It’s been a busy year so far for OneWeb. We reported in May that OneWeb and NOW Corp had signed a LEO satcoms MoU for the Philippines. In April, Veon, which has operator units in Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia and Ukraine, announced it will use OneWeb LEO satellites to extend its coverage in emerging markets.