Intelsat Expands Cellular Opportunities to Nigeria and Neighbors

Intelsat CellBackhaul Enabling Broadband Cellular Growth in Region

MCLEAN, Va. – Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has unveiled a new satellite cellular backhaul service platform, located at a datacenter in Nigeria, marking a major milestone in our efforts to enhance Nigeria and Africa’s connectivity infrastructure.

Despite notable progress, Sub-Saharan Africa remains a region with the widest usage and coverage gaps (59% and 15% respectively). Almost half of the 400 million people who lack mobile broadband coverage worldwide live in Sub-Saharan Africa. A major challenge in closing this gap, especially in rural areas, is that expanding mobile networks is often slowed by the high cost and slow pace of traditional infrastructure deployment methods and deterred by low returns on investment.

Intelsat CellBackhaul Nigeria, a fully managed cellular backhaul service, will support mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) in Nigeria and West Africa by helping them overcome challenges related to expanding mobile coverage in the region, enabling rapid and cost-effective network expansion via Intelsat’s satellite and terrestrial network. The new Nigeria solution will be added to the existing platforms in several other African countries delivering services to millions of people across thousands of cell towers.

“This is a great day for Intelsat, Nigeria and West Africa, bringing new capabilities and solutions to the market. Satellite technology is critical to closing the digital divide. To connect unconnected populations in rural and remote locations, satellite backhaul is often the most viable option for a rapid, reliable, cost-effective connectivity solution,” Rhys Morgan, RVP, EMEA, Intelsat.

Learn more about Intelsat CellBackhaul

About Intelsat

Intelsat’s global team of professionals is focused on providing seamless and secure, satellite-based communications to government, NGO and commercial customers through the company’s next-generation worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry “firsts” in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of challenges Intelsat team members now have their sights on the “next firsts” in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the digital transformation of the industry.

Media Contact:

Melissa Longo – [email protected]; +1 240-308-1881