In countries regularly impacted by conflict or natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, terrestrial communications are often vulnerable to damage that results in crippling communications outages. In some cases, it can take weeks or even months to repair the damage and restore connectivity, leaving aid organizations, first responders, and citizens with no ability to communicate.
Historically, in situations where cellular and terrestrial networks have become inoperable, Mobile Network Operations (MNOs) turn to satellite communications to restore some degree of connectivity, if only on a temporary or emergency basis, until the ground-based infrastructure has been repaired. Past perceptions of cost and complexity prevented satellite networks from being viewed as a primary connectivity option.
However, this dynamic continues to evolve, particularly across some of the underdeveloped countries in Africa, where cellular infrastructure is often outdated, extremely vulnerable to damage, or located in remote areas that are difficult to access.
Connecting Millions with Satellite-Powered Cell Backhaul
With increased regularity, MNOs are turning to satellite-power backhaul as a more permanent option for establishing resilient, consistent, and high-quality connectivity. By using satellites to connect cellular towers, base stations, and other ground network assets to the core network, operators are also able to expand coverage into previously inaccessible regions where laying fiber-optic cable is costly and impractical.
In some of the most connectivity-challenged countries across Africa, satellite-powered cellular backhaul solutions have been deployed with great success.
Extending Coverage to All Corners of Burkina Faso’s Vast Terrain
Burkina Faso’s unstable political environment and challenging geographical landscape made the West Africa country a prime candidate for satellite-enabled cellular backhaul. Today, MNOs are turning to satellite backhaul to help restore connectivity in regions where terrestrial infrastructure has been disrupted due to ongoing conflict and instability. Satellite networks are also connecting 800 new communications towers, extending new services to people and businesses in remote locations and ensuring that all have access to modern and advanced connectivity.
Unlocking Social Services and New Economic Opportunity in the DRC
Until recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a geographically complex country with a dispersed population of more than 49 million, connectivity across wide regions was either woefully substandard or simply nonexistent. Today, Tier 1 MNOs like Vodacom DRC are leveraging satellite backhaul to expand digital connectivity and improve the quality of connectivity across the entirety of the country, reaching the 32 million who live in areas without any broadband access. Satellite-enabled connectivity has also enabled access to new economic opportunities for once-disconnected communities while delivering essential educational, health, and financial services.
Promoting Digital Financial Inclusion in Mali
Finally in Mali, where cellular infrastructure is often susceptible to damage, satellite backhaul technologies are now enabling the delivery of uninterrupted connectivity to 57% of the population that once had no internet access. Satellite networks have also allowed Orange Mali, one of the largest MNOs in the country, to expand availability of its Orange Money digital financial service to those living in the hard-to-reach areas of the country, bringing banking, money transfer, and mobile payments capabilities to thousands in previously underserved communities.
Satellite powered connectivity is no longer an emergency stopgap. In regions where instability, geography, or natural disasters once made it difficult, if not impossible, for MNOs to deliver reliable and high-quality coverage without disruption, satellite backhaul is bridging digital divides and helping create new opportunities for economic, educational, health, and financial inclusion for the most isolated and vulnerable populations.
