An ongoing partnership between Facebook and satellite company Eutelsat, will see the provision of broadband connectivity via Wi-Fi in Ghana and eleven (11) other African countries.
The project aims to use Facebook’s paid-for Express Wi-fi platform to connect thousands of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa via Eutelsat’s Konnect service.
Speaking about the project to the media, General Manager of Eutelsat’s Konnect Africa, Philippe Baudrier averred, “This initiative is the perfect example of the power of satellite connectivity to bridge the digital divide, with unmatched economic and social benefits.”
“We are proud once again to leverage the unparalleled coverage of Eutelsat Konnect to satisfy this growing demand. Express Wi-fi is already available via mobile operators, such as Cell C in South Africa, Globe in the Philippines and Vodafone in Ghana, as well as some internet service providers in Africa, Asia and South America,” he added.
“At Facebook, we’re committed to working with partners to help expand connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to be the region with the highest coverage gap,” also stated Facebook’s head of connectivity policy for sub-Saharan Africa, Fargani Tambeayuk.
Eutelsat and Facebook have previously conducted successful satellite pilots in rural and underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) enabling local businesses to offer affordable internet access to customers on a pre-paid basis.
To date, Eutelsat’s use of the Express Wi-Fi platform has enabled access to affordable broadband for thousands of individuals across the DRC.
The Express Wi-fi is already available in more than 30 countries, including the Asian, South American and African markets.
Aside Ghana, the other 11 African countries to benefit from the project are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR), Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
