Photo by Africa Mobile Networks

Intelsat has reached an important milestone in its ability to bring connectivity to unserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Intelsat and its partner Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) announced Aug. 29 that in less than a year, that approximately 525 remote cell sites have now been connected, with the goal of expanding mobile coverage to other parts of the region by the end of 2019.

AMN has developed a low-cost solution, powered by a small cell solar-based system that can be rapidly deployed in less than six hours. Combined with three high-throughput Intelsat Epic satellites, as well as the 23 additional satellites covering the African continent, AMN and Intelsat are delivering a mobile network infrastructure that looks to meet emerging data demands.

“Through this partnership, we are now providing access to mobile coverage for the first time to approximately 1.7 million people living in remote communities across several countries that many thought were impossible to connect,” Jean-Philippe Gillet, Intelsat Vice President and General Manager, Networks, said.