Facebook to use Israeli satellite to beam internet to Africa

IN TEL AVIV

Social media giant Facebook will help communities living in remote regions in sub-Saharan Africa to access fast Internet connections using an Israeli satellite.

Announcing the new development, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said he was partnering with Eutelsat, a European satellite operator, to connect millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa to the Internet.

Satellite networks are well suited to economically connect people in low- to medium-density population areas. The AMOS-6 satellite, built by the Israel Aerospace Industries, will be ready for launch next year, according Zuckerberg.

AMOS-6 SATELLITE

“We are going to work with local partners across the regions to help communities begin accessing internet services provided through the satellite,” said Mr Zuckerberg.

Speaking to the Nation from Israel, Amos by Spacecom — the satellite providers — said they had already established a satellite in the Gabon airspace at a cost of $300 million.

The satellite capacity has been optimised for community and direct-to-user Internet access, thus making it affordable.

“The satellite has high spot beams that will cover large parts of West, East and Southern Africa, this will relieve pent-up demand for connectivity from the many users in Africa ,” said Amir Carmeli, the Amos by Spacecom sales head.

FREE INTERNET SERVICES

Amos by Spacecom has previously worked in Cameroon with the country’s Ministry of Postal and Telecommunications to provide broadband and Internet services to 125 schools and community centres.

Sub-Saharan Africa will start enjoying the fast Internet services in April next year.

“I am happy to announce our first project to deliver internet from space, over the last year, Facebook has been exploring ways to use aircraft and satellite to beam internet access down into communities from the skies,” said Mr Zuckerberg in a post.

Mr Zuckerberg said aiming to connect people living in remote regions using the traditional connection infrastructure has been difficult and inefficient, so there was a need to invest in new technologies.