Page 33 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Eutelsat Achieves ITU’s Partner2Connect Milestone: 1 Million People

Connected in Sub-Saharan Africa

Eutelsat is proud to announce that it has Development. Eutelsat’s Konnect hotspots Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of
achieved its Partner2Connect Digital Wi-Fi services, powered by the EUTELSAT Eutelsat Group, commented: “Reaching
Coalition pledge, backed by the International KONNECT satellite, have been instrumental this milestone means 1 million people now
Telecommunication Union (ITU), two years in delivering affordable, high-speed internet have access to vital information, education,
ahead of schedule. This milestone marks to rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, where and communication resources through
the connection of 1 million underserved terrestrial networks remain inaccessible. our Konnect solution. This achievement
people in Sub-Saharan Africa to reliable With speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 100 highlights our commitment to digital
high-speed internet via satellite, reinforcing Mbps at competitive rates, the service inclusion and underscores how we leverage
Eutelsat’s commitment to bridging the has empowered individuals, schools, cutting-edge satellite network solutions
digital divide—a key pillar of its Corporate businesses, and healthcare centers to meet the challenging demands for low-
Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy—and to access essential digital resources, cost, high-availability, and trusted services
advancing progress toward the United unlocking opportunities for education, in Africa. With both Eutelsat’s GEO satellite
Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable e-commerce, and critical services. Eva 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.”

Eutelsat Announces Changes to the Composition of the Board of Directors

Eutelsat Group announces changes to as an independent Board Member until seven Independent Directors. It will include
the composition of its Board of Directors, the next Annual General Meeting, where five women, equating to a representation
aimed at fostering greater agility in he will be proposed for a full term. Michel of 42%. Elsewhere, Dominique D’Hinnin
decision-making in the fast-evolving Combes is Chairman and CEO of MC has informed the Board of Directors of his
Satellite industry. Accordingly, four sitting Advisory. A telecommunications expert, wish to retire from the Chairmanship and
directors, Mia Brunell, Esther Gaide, Cynthia he previously served as CFO of France Board of Eutelsat Group. The Nomination
Gordon and Fleur Pellerin have resigned Télécom (2002-06), and headed TDF (2006- and Governance Committee has taken note
from the Board. The entire Eutelsat Group 08), Vodafone Group for Europe (2008-13), of Dominique’s intention and will undertake
Board warmly thanks Mia Brunell, Esther Alcatel-Lucent (2013-15) and Numericable- due process prior to recommending a new
Gaide, Cynthia Gordon and Fleur Pellerin for SFR (2015-17). In 2018, Michel Combes Chairman to the Board of Directors. As
their outstanding contribution to the Board became CFO of US operator, Sprint, where Eutelsat enters the next and exciting phase
duties and for their continuing support he subsequently became CEO. In 2020, of satellite communications, this new, re-
of the Group’s strategy. Additionally, he joined Softbank Group International, energized board will guide and support
Michel Combes has been appointed by which he led until 2022. Following these the management team in driving future
the Board, on the recommendation of the changes, Eutelsat’s Board of Directors will performance.
Nomination and Governance Committee, be composed of 12 members, of which

33 JAN-FEB 2025