Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). AfricaOnline has satellite ground facilities at Hartebeesthoek. Photo: HartRAO

[Via Satellite 07-05-2016] Intelsat has partnered with AfricaOnline, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gondwana International Networks, to provide a managed broadband internet service for sub-Saharan Africa.

Gondwana is a Pan-African communications service company and one of the largest VSAT operators in Africa through its operating brands, AfricaOnline and iWayAfrica. Under the agreement, Intelsat will provide satellite services via Intelsat 28 located at 33 degrees east, and Gondwana will provide ground support and network management services from AfricaOnline’s facilities at Hartebeesthoek in South Africa.

Together, Intelsat and Gondwana plan to deliver Ku-band broadband service on a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) basis. The VNO platform leverages Intelsat’s service infrastructure and Gondwana’s network management expertise to facilitate easier deployment of Ku-band VSAT services.

“The upfront capital commitment and ongoing fixed operating cost structure of Ku-band VSAT has constrained expansion of services in Africa. A managed VNO platform allows for increased economies of scale, both in terms of capex and opex, and is a giant step forward in bringing cost-effective connectivity to Africa,” said Mathew Welthagen, CEO of Gondwana International Networks.