Page 89 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

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Intelsat Claims Major Milestone with Nigerian Backhaul Service Launch

Satellite and terrestrial network operator Intelsat has unveiled a EMEA, Intelsat, explains: “Satellite technology is critical to closing
new satellite cellular backhaul service platform, located at the Open the digital divide. To connect unconnected populations in rural
Access Data Centers facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Data center facility and remote locations, satellite backhaul is often the most viable
provider OADC is a division of core digital infrastructure solutions option for a rapid, reliable, cost-effective connectivity solution,”
and managed network services company WIOCC. Intelsat says this
launch marks a major milestone in its efforts to enhance Nigeria
and Africa’s connectivity infrastructure. As Intelsat points out,
sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the widest usage and
coverage gaps (59% and 15% respectively), adding that attempts
to expand mobile networks are often slowed by the high cost and
slow pace of traditional infrastructure deployment methods – and
deterred by low returns on investment. The company says that
Intelsat CellBackhaul Nigeria, its fully managed cellular backhaul
service, will support MNOs and ISPs in Nigeria and West Africa
by helping them to overcome challenges related to expanding
mobile coverage in the region, enabling rapid and cost-effective
network expansion via Intelsat’s satellite and terrestrial network.
The new Nigerian solution will be added to the existing platforms
in several other African countries delivering services to millions
of people across thousands of cell towers. As Rhys Morgan, RVP,

Telco Joins Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Vodafone Fiji has become Fiji’s latest authorized reseller of
Starlink satellite Internet services and the second Amalgamated
Telecom Holdings (ATH) subsidiary to do so in less than five
months. Vodafone Fiji made the announcement last week. “This
collaboration introduces advanced satellite internet technology
to Fiji, representing expansion in Vodafone Fiji’s mission to
deliver innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian community,”
it stated. “By leveraging Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites,
Vodafone Fiji will provide its enterprise customers with reliable
high-speed internet, even in the most remote regions of the
country.” Starlink’s entry into the Pacific has been a double-edged
sword for ATH, whose expansion into the Pacific in recent years
now sees it operating mobile telephone services in a number
of Pacific countries through the Vodafone brand and subsea
cable Internet to complement its offerings. In its latest annual
report released early this month, the telecom conglomerate
said Starlink’s entry provided it with important development
opportunities as well as concerns. “While Starlink is a competitive
option at the retail front, we also view significant opportunity
to leverage the capabilities to enhance our services and help
bridge the digital divide by connecting underserved communities
in a cost-effective manner,” said ATH chief executive officer
Ivan Fong. “Our subsidiary, Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL), along with uniform terms and conditions for all internet service operators
potentially others in the near future, is partnering with Starlink are essential to ensure fair competition in the market,” Mr Fong
to leverage Starlink satellite technology, which will extend our said. Starlink’s official launch in Cook Islands last month had a
reach and improve connectivity across the region. “While ATH quick direct impact on Vodafone Cook Islands, a subsidiary of
sees potential in collaborating with telco operators like Starlink to ATH, which experienced a 12 per cent decline in Internet revenue
expand mobile coverage in remote areas, we also have concerns. and “significant loss in the high-yield residential and certain
“The rise of LEO satellites potentially raises issues related to data business segments of the broadband services market” attributed
sovereignty, information security, and compliance with exchange to Starlink’s entry. In July this year, Telecom Fiji had become the
control regulations and tax laws. “Additionally, ATH believes that first ATH subsidiary to become a Starlink reseller in Fiji.
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