Can Satellite Backhaul Bridge Nigeria’s Connectivity Gap?

October 22, 2024

Intelsat has launched a new satellite-based cellular backhaul service in Lagos, Nigeria, aiming to enhance mobile connectivity across Nigeria and West Africa. This initiative directly addresses the persistent challenge of connecting rural and remote areas, where traditional terrestrial infrastructure often falls short. Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant connectivity obstacles, marked by the highest discrepancy in mobile broadband coverage: 59% on the usage side and glaring 15% coverage gaps. Nearly half of the world’s 400 million people without mobile broadband live in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the dire need for innovative solutions.

Traditional methods of expanding connectivity in rural areas have been hindered by high costs, slow deployment times, and limited profitability. The disparity is stark and has often left large segments of the population disconnected from the digital world. Intelsat’s new service, CellBackhaul Nigeria, offers a fully managed backhaul solution tailored for mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) in the region. Using Intelsat’s extensive satellite and terrestrial networks, this service promotes faster and more cost-effective network growth, especially in underserved areas.

A New Path to Connectivity

Intelsat has introduced a satellite-based cellular backhaul service in Lagos, Nigeria, aiming to boost mobile connectivity throughout Nigeria and West Africa. This initiative tackles the ongoing difficulty of connecting rural and remote regions, where traditional land-based infrastructure often fails. Sub-Saharan Africa faces major connectivity challenges, with a significant gap in mobile broadband coverage: 59% usage but glaring 15% coverage. Nearly half of the globe’s 400 million people without mobile broadband reside in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches.

Traditional methods of expanding connectivity in rural regions face hurdles like high costs, slow deployment, and limited profitability. These obstacles have left many people disconnected from the digital world. Intelsat’s new CellBackhaul Nigeria service provides a fully managed backhaul solution designed for mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) in the area. Leveraging Intelsat’s vast satellite and land-based networks, this service aids in quicker and more economical network expansion, particularly in underserved regions.

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