Coverage map of Avanti’s Hylas satellites. Photo: Avanti Communications

[Via Satellite 05-30-2014] East African mobile operator Smart chose Avanti Communications to deliver Internet Protocol (IP) backhaul services to networks in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Smart is owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), which also funds many social enterprises in East Africa with an overall goal of building up economically sound businesses in the region. The new contract will augment current backhaul services conducted through Avanti’s undersea fiber network.