Bridging the Digital Divide in the Heart of Africa: Intelsat’s Commitment to the DRC

In the heart of Africa lies the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a nation of immense potential and profound challenges. Vast, rich in resources, and home to more than 100 million people, more than half of whom live in rural areas, the DRC’s complex geography has long leveraged the unique and differentiating capabilities of satellite technology to enable internet access for individuals, communities and businesses in both urban and rural areas.

Intelsat has been a longstanding partner in this journey and we’re constantly innovating, delivering solutions that meet user expectations and help mobile network operators (MNOs) navigate the challenges associated with building out network infrastructure in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

A New Era of Connectivity Through Satellite

In 2022, Intelsat took a bold step by investing in systems and infrastructure that make it easier for MNOs to deploy cellular services more broadly across the DRC.

This investment is a natural progression following Intelsat’s sustained support to leading mobile operators in the DRC, who have been leveraging Intelsat’s high-performance satellites for decades to provide cellular backhaul coverage to remote areas, underscoring the critical role satellite continues to play in expanding and sustaining connectivity across the country.

Today, 100% of MNOs in the DRC are leveraging this state-of-the-art satellite ground platform through which Intelsat delivers its commercially known Intelsat CellBackhaul service – a fully managed cellular backhaul service where Intelsat manages all the satellite components connecting towers to the MNOs core networks – that enables mobile operators to seamlessly, quickly and economically extend the networks across the country, ensuring reliable, high-performance connectivity even in the most remote regions.

The platform not only supports MNOs in the DRC but also extends its benefits to neighboring countries. An MNO in a country adjacent to the DRC is leveraging this platform to enhance its network capabilities, reaching more subscribers. We anticipate further growth as demand for reliable connectivity continues to expand across the region.

This is more than infrastructure — it’s a catalyst for digital inclusion

Bringing connectivity to remote areas isn’t easy – especially in a country as vast and geographically complex as the DRC. Our teams have carried hundreds of kilograms of equipment across makeshift bridges and canoes, determined to reach the most isolated communities.

We’ve witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of connectivity in remote areas and the transformation it brings to entire communities. Suddenly, people can use mobile money to receive support from loved ones. They can make calls, sometimes speaking to distant family members for the very first time.

This is more than technology – it’s connection, opportunity and dignity. It reminds us why we do what we do, and why we’ll keep pushing forward – no matter how remote the destination.

Intelsat CellBackhaul is crucial in the DRC due to its vast, geographically challenging terrain, making it extremely difficult to lay traditional fiber optic cables to reach remote areas. Satellite backhaul is the most feasible way to extend cellular connectivity to rural communities where terrestrial infrastructure is limited, offering reliable mobile networks and fostering greater digital inclusion across the country.

Key benefits include:

• Local partnerships, ensuring sustainable and community-aligned connectivity solutions
• Reduced CAPEX, enabling mobile operators to expand their coverage without heavy infrastructure investment
• 24/7 network support and monitoring
• Quick deployment time and economical delivery of connectivity enabling reliable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
• Seamless integration with existing mobile network infrastructure

The Future is Inclusive

The DRC stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with the right combination of technology, commitment, and collaboration.

Significant efforts are underway by industry stakeholders to tackle the challenges of rural connectivity, including initiatives like solar-powered base stations.

Intelsat CellBackhaul DRC solution serves as a valuable complement to these ongoing efforts, strengthening the drive toward wider and more reliable rural coverage in the country.

With around 850 active sites – including 120 on LTE – and over 1,000 TB of data traffic generated in 2024 alone, its growing adoption stands as a powerful testament to its value and impact. And this is just the beginning.

At Intelsat, we believe everyone deserves access to the digital world, no matter where they live.

Our investment in the DRC is just one part of a broader commitment to Africa. Similar platforms have been introduced in Nigeria and South Africa, highlighting the growing demand and scalability of this model across the continent.

And as we continue to build digital bridges across the continent, our mission remains clear: to connect the unconnected and power a more inclusive digital future for a brighter Africa.