Press release -
Eutelsat and Bayobab collaborate on OneWeb constellation for fixed services throughout Africa
Paris/Dubai, 15 August 2024 – Eutelsat Group (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL), and Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group (JSE: MTN; NYSE: MTNOY), are pleased to announce a multi-year agreement for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capacity on Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation. This collaboration aims to address the connectivity needs for enterprises and cellular backhaul, providing reliable solutions to enhance network performance and customer experience across the continent.
Bayobab, Africa's leading digital and infrastructure service provider, will leverage Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation to deliver fixed connectivity services. By improving coverage in rural areas, these innovative satellite solutions will provide high-quality connectivity and reduced latency. The roll-out roadmap will see implementation completed across the continent by December 2024, with services already available in four African countries.
Cyril Dujardin, Co-President of the Eutelsat Group Connectivity Business Unit said: "We are proud to count Bayobab and the broader MTN Group amongst Africa’s early adopters of the Eutelsat/OneWeb LEO constellation. This partnership underscores the commitment of both Eutelsat and Bayobab to drive digital inclusion, and the pertinence of innovative satellite solutions to achieve this aim, notably the unique properties of ubiquitous, low latency LEO capacity.”
Frédéric Schepens, Bayobab’s Chief Executive Officer added: " At Bayobab, we're passionate about being at the forefront of harnessing technology to empower people and businesses across Africa. Our partnership with Eutelsat and the integration of OneWeb's LEO satellite services into our solutions is a testament to this commitment. This collaboration brings cutting-edge digital connectivity to even the most remote corners of the continent and reaffirms our promise of 'Connecting Africa' – a promise rooted in partnership and driven by a vision of a digitally inclusive future."
The partnership between Eutelsat and Bayobab marks a step forward in bridging the digital divide in Africa. The deployment and integration of LEO satellite technology will provide enhanced connectivity solutions that will empower communities across the continent.
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About Eutelsat Group
Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 35 Geostationary satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites. The Group addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes more than 6,500 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services. Eutelsat Group’s unique suite of in-orbit assets and ground infrastructure enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and the Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,700 people across more than 50 countries. The Group is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL)
Find out more at www.eutelsat.com
Media enquiries
Joanna Darlington
Tel. +33 674 521 531
jdarlington@eutelsat.com
Katie Dowd
Tel. +1 202 271 2209
kdowd@oneweb.net
Investors
Joanna Darlington
Tel. +33 674 521 531
jdarlington@eutelsat.com
Hugo Laurens Berge
Tel. +33 670 80 95 58
hlaurensberge@eutelsat.com
DISCLAIMER
The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management’s views and assumptions as of the date of this document. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: risks related to the health crisis; operational risks related to satellite failures or impaired satellite performance, or failure to roll out the deployment plan as planned and within the expected timeframe; risks related to the trend in the satellite telecommunications market resulting from increased competition or technological changes affecting the market; risks related to the international dimension of the Group's customers and activities; risks related to the adoption of international rules on frequency coordination and financial risks related, inter alia, to the financial guarantee granted to the Intergovernmental Organization's closed pension fund, and foreign exchange risk. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this document to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The information contained in this document is not based on historical fact and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts or data mentioned will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group considers as reasonable.
