The internet has become a powerful force for education, empowerment, and connection, especially in the world’s most remote regions. From civic engagement to economic opportunity, digital access can be a lifeline. Unfortunately, delivering satellite internet in remote regions takes more than just ambition. It demands global coordination, local expertise, and infrastructure built to last. That’s exactly what a new partnership between a global satellite leader and a renowned actor-activist’s peacebuilding foundation aims to deliver.
A New Partnership for Peace and Access
In South Sudan and Uganda, where digital infrastructure is minimal and communities are still rebuilding from years of unrest, a new partnership aims to change that. Announced June 25 in New York City, the three-year collaboration between Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker’s Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) and global satellite leader Intelsat (now part of SES) will bring satellite-powered broadband to 10 WPDI Community Learning Centers.
Designed to serve as hubs for education, communication, and peacebuilding, the project brings internet access, as well as a full ecosystem of power, hardware, technical knowledge and expertise, and local support needed to operate independently. This effort showcases satellite’s unique ability to connect where no other infrastructure can.
Making Connectivity Possible in Remote Regions
South Sudan and Uganda face significant logistical and political challenges in developing digital infrastructure. In South Sudan, internet access has historically been limited, and its availability has sometimes been restricted during periods of unrest. For instance, a government-imposed internet blackout in June 2023 occurred amid a broader security crackdown, underscoring the potential impact of digital disruptions.
Geography adds to the complexity. Despite widespread urbanization across Africa, 56 percent of Sub‐Saharan Africans still live in rural areas; in Uganda, it’s closer to 75 percent. Most WPDI centers are located in remote regions, beyond the reach of power lines, cellular towers, and in many cases, roads. Only one of the seven South Sudanese centers is in Juba, the capital, where terrestrial connectivity is insufficient .
“The biggest challenge is logistics,” said John-Philippe Gillet, President Fixed & Maritime Vertical at SES. “You’re not just installing connectivity. You’re building a full ecosystem that includes power, satellite terminals, and local support. These are areas with zero connectivity. In some locations, even roads are difficult.”
For residents, the need is urgent and clear. “The world is moving forward,” said Baibai Joseph Dusuman of Juba. “And any place without internet is actually lagging behind.”
Engineering for Resilience: The Technical Backbone of the WPDI Partnership
Delivering broadband to places with no grid, no fiber, and no cellular infrastructure requires more than a signal; it takes strategy. SES’s approach relies on a robust end-to-end architecture that blends high-throughput geostationary (GEO) satellites with ground-based teleports and regional access points. According to the white paper Advancing Toward a Connected World, this hybrid network design allows for high availability and low latency across 99 percent of the world’s populated areas, even in the absence of any terrestrial infrastructure.
The goal of this initiative is a dramatic upgrade in communications capabilities. “Each WPDI center is equipped with ruggedized satellite terminals, antennas, and solar-powered energy systems designed to operate around the clock. Local teams have been established to work with SES in the region, handling deployment and providing ongoing support. Cloud-based orchestration tools further enable centralized monitoring, diagnostics, and bandwidth optimization, minimizing downtime and the need for on-site troubleshooting. “This project required a logistics-heavy, boots-on-the-ground approach,” said Gillet. “But it’s worth it when you see the impact. When you’re working in places with no roads, no power grid, no towers, satellite becomes the lifeline.”
A Broader Strategy to Connect the Unconnected
The WPDI project is part of SES’s larger strategy to close connectivity gaps in underserved regions. SES is currently delivering similar solutions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and across the Pacific Islands. “This is about using satellite to complement terrestrial infrastructure,” said Gillet. “In large countries like Burkina Faso and South Sudan, that hybrid approach is the only way to reach the most remote communities.” In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for example, Intelsat (now part of SES) has deployed over 900 small-site connections since launching a major initiative three years ago. “It’s all part of our broader mission to connect communities that would otherwise be left behind,” added Gillet.
Their work in Burkina Faso even earned industry recognition last year. Rhys Morgan, VP, Western Europe & Africa at SES, said, “This recognition underscores our commitment to providing innovative and reliable connectivity solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. We look forward to continuing our work in Burkina Faso and other regions in need of resilient digital infrastructure.”
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic only reinforced the need for continuous access to digital infrastructure. “Once communities got a taste of access, whether for telehealth, education, or commerce, they wanted more. Satellite is what made that possible,” Gillet added.
A Model for Scalable Impact
With broadband in place, WPDI can dramatically expand its programming. From online entrepreneurship and ICT training to student exchanges and peacebuilding workshops, the Community Learning Centers are now equipped to deliver tools once unimaginable in these settings. And with each center co-designed with community members and operated by local staff, long-term sustainability and cultural relevance can both be ensured.
This partnership is sure to continue delivering results, as has been evidenced by WPDI’s work in the past. Former child soldier turned radio host, Benson Lugwar, a WPDI alumni, illustrates how access to opportunity, enabled by connectivity, can transform individual lives and uplift entire communities.
A Blueprint for Satellite-Driven Development
For the satellite industry, the WPDI–Intelsat collaboration serves as a working blueprint for how satellite systems, ground engineering, and local partnerships can deliver life-changing results, both at scale and in the world’s most challenging regions. “There’s a lot of talk about satellite for good,” said Gillet. “This is that talk in action. We’re not just connecting places; we’re connecting people to opportunity.”
