Facebook and Eutelsat Partners to Bring Satellite Internet in Africa
European satellite operator Eutelsat Communications and social media website Facebook announced last Monday that they are partnering to bring satellite broadband Internet in sub-Saharan Africa.
Under a multi-year agreement with satellite communication company Spacecom, Eutelsat and Facebook will utilize the broadband payload of AMOS-6 satellite to provide Internet connectivity in sub-Sahara in Africa. The project is scheduled to start in the second half of next year.
Eutelsat said in a statement that the Satellite Internet would offer "using affordable, off-the-shelf" hardware in regions often lacking access to reliable fixed and mobile terrestrial networks. Satellite networks are well suited to connect people in low to medium density population areas.
Eutelsat is a new company in London. It is headed by Laurent Grimaldi, founder and former CEO of Tiscali International Network.
Two years ago, Facebook started Internet.org, a project to speed up Internet connectivity in poorly covered areas. For Facebook, this satellite Internet project is one of the many technology investments to enable cost-effective Internet access.
"Facebook's mission is to connect the world and we believe that satellites will play an important role in addressing the significant barriers that exist in connecting the people in Africa." said Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org. Daniels added that they are looking forward to partnering with Eutelsat on this project and investigating new ways to use satellites to connect people in the most remote areas of the world more efficiently.
Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO added, "We are excited by this opportunity to accelerate the deployment of our broadband strategy and to partner with Facebook on a new initiative to provide Internet access services in Africa. Eutelsat's strong track record in operating High Throughput Satellite systems will ensure that we can deliver accessible and robust Internet solutions that get more users online and part of the Information Society."
