Using Eutelsat’s EUTELSAT KONNECT high-throughput satellite and following a successful Proof of Concept trial, Vodacom will sell services on the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite under its own brand. As a result, Vodacom will expand its service offering to customers previously unreached by its existing infrastructure, particularly in the B2B and hospitality space. Konnect Africa will carry out installation services on behalf of Vodacom.
“We are delighted to incorporate satellite to our suite of services, leveraging the state-of-the art EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to fulfil our mission to deliver connectivity to all regions of Tanzania," said Sitholizwe Mdlalose (pictured), managing director of Vodacom Tanzania.
"With Konnect, Vodacom will cover 100% of the country, connecting all regions, districts and villages no matter how remote they are. With this service, we will connect everyone, this includes areas which are not covered today, giving access to services up to 100Mbps.”
Vodacom Tanzania, part of the UK’s Vodafone Group, provides a wide range of services for consumers and enterprise including voice, data, messaging, financial services and enterprise solutions and counting over 15 million customers in Tanzania.
Part of the company's strategy incorporates inclusion for all while bridging the digital divide gap. As a result, this partnership with Eutelsat supports this and will serve people who have been without connection since independence.
“We are excited to partner with Vodacom, a leading pan-African telecom operator, to extend the reach of its services in Tanzania," said Philippe Baudrier, chief executive officer of Konnect Africa.
"This agreement illustrates the unparalleled resources of our powerful EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to satisfy the strong demand for connectivity in underserved regions of the African continent and marks another success in the development of our distribution capabilities following recent additions in Nigeria, South-Africa and DRC.”
Launched in 2020, EUTELSAT KONNECT is a new-generation high throughput satellite offering 'unprecedented' operational flexibility.