Eutelsat OneWeb supports Paratus South Africa for the launch of its South Africa Connectivity Services

Paris, 19 January 2024 - Eutelsat Group (Euronext Paris, London Stock Exchange: ETL), announces that Paratus South Africa, a leading specialist connectivity provider, and Eutelsat OneWeb have partnered to enhance Paratus’ connectivity offering in South Africa.

Paratus South Africa already provides Geostationary (GEO) satellite services through its long-standing partnership with Eutelsat Group and this new agreement further strengthens its satellite connectivity services through a combined GEO/LEO offering to address businesses operating in remote parts of the country, notably retail, banking, mining, agriculture, and tourism.

Under this latest agreement, Eutelsat OneWeb services have been integrated within the Paratus core fibre network covering over 20,000 kms across Sub-Saharan Africa, enabling Paratus South Africa to offer unique high-capacity connectivity solutions to its customers. Kallie Carlsen, Managing Director of Paratus South Africa, said: “Introducing the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO service is a momentous step for the telecommunications industry in South Africa. As a nation, we are embracing the future of connectivity, transcending geographical boundaries, and enabling opportunities like never before. As satellite experts, we are uniquely placed to empower more and more people and businesses in South Africa with this landmark partnership.”

Cyril Dujardin, co-General Manager of Eutelsat OneWeb, commented: "The adaptability and scalability of the Eutelsat OneWeb system make it a promising solution for the diverse and unique challenges faced by the African continent. Together with Paratus South Africa, we will demonstrate how LEO can overcome geographical barriers and redefine connectivity in the region, to serve banking, mining, enterprise, and offshore markets, and to set a benchmark for future communications excellence in South Africa.”

In line with its global roll-out plan, Eutelsat OneWeb has now activated its Satellite Network Portals (SNP) in South Africa and Mauritius with additional ground station sites in Ghana and Angola online soon to further strengthen network services and capacity across the region. Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO enterprise solutions build on Eutelsat Group’s longstanding commitment and investment to the region where its GEO HTS KONNECT is delivering high-capacity, high-throughput broadband services today and is set to be further enhanced in the coming months with a new dedicated South African gateway.