Globacom and Eutelsat Communication signed a multi-year, multi-Gbps wholesale capacity contract that enables Globacom to leverage the Eutelsat Konnect satellite to deliver high-speed satellite connectivity to businesses and communities in unconnected and underserved communities in Nigeria. This agreement is the mobile network operator’s first step to extending its coverage beyond the reach of its terrestrial infrastructure. 

Globacom, Glo, is a multinational telecommunications company and the second-largest operator in Nigeria. It has a market share of about 28%, over 51 million subscribers and is about to increase its current reach into the unconnected parts of Nigeria through Eutelsat Konnect satellite offerings. Eutelsat Konnect, a new-generation High Throughput Satellite that has been in service since January 2021, offers unprecedented operational flexibility. It delivers significant resources for broadband services with quasi-complete coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, it addresses direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services, with a comprehensive range of packages from pay-as-you-go to monthly and annual subscriptions. 

According to Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., Chairman of Globacom Limited,  “We are delighted to add satellite services to our portfolio. Leveraging the state-of-the-art EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to extend connectivity to even far-flung areas in Nigeria is in line with our mission to build Africa’s biggest and best telecommunications network. The infrastructure will complement our Glo 1 submarine cable and extensive fibre optic layout across the country.” 

In addition, this partnership deal is coming at a time when the Nigerian government has approved the rollout of the 5G network in Nigeria, which will boost internet connectivity in urban and rural communities.

Commenting on the agreement, Rodolphe Belmer, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said, “We are honoured to have been selected by Globacom, one of the leading telecommunications operators in Africa’s most populous market, to extend the reach of its services. This agreement illustrates the unparalleled resources of our powerful EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to satisfy the strong demand for connectivity in underserved regions throughout the African continent.”

Internet satellite providers are increasingly partnering with mobile network providers to progress the realisation of Africa’s all-inclusive internet connectivity goal to bridge the digital gap on the continent while simultaneously tapping into the booming satellite connectivity market in Africa.