Satellite communications provider Avanti has launched a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, similar to that popularised by Elon Musk’s Starlink, through a partnership with satellite engineering firm Q-KON.
This adds to the growing number of firms offering such a service in the local market, while advancing Avanti’s ambition to make Africa its primary revenue source in the next few years.
On Monday, Avanti — which is headquartered in London — said it had partnered with Q-KON to deliver “seamless LEO connectivity” from Eutelsat OneWeb. The new deal is set to improve business operations nationwide in a challenging connectivity environment.
Avanti has four satellites, having invested $1.2bn (about R23bn) in its lifetime.
The company works with mobile operators on the continent such as MTN, Vodacom and Airtel.
Avanti and Q-KON say they are delivering on the increased demand for LEO connectivity within the region. The deal significantly bolsters Avanti’s multi-orbit solution and means the company can now offer a combination of LEO and geostationary services, effective immediately.
In recent years LEO satellites have grown in popularity as a way to plug connectivity gaps, particularly in less developed and rural areas, as well as adding another layer of connectivity to a telecom operator’s portfolio.
While LEO satellites operate at an altitude of 2,000km or less, geostationary satellites function at an altitude of more than 35,000km and medium-orbit satellites at 2,000km-8,000km.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Q-KON to provide LEO services to our customers across SA. This is a strategically significant move for us in multi-orbit and we hope that this is the first of many LEO partnerships globally,” said Avanti Communications CEO Kyle Whitehill.
“This hybrid model gives our customers in SA the assurance that all their unique problems can be solved through our services. This is particularly important for our enterprise customers in SA where the need for resilience is key.”
In 2021, SpaceX, a space exploration company owned by SA-born Musk, began offering satellite-based internet services in the US and other parts of the world to connect those without access to fast 3G and 4G mobile connectivity or wired options through telephone or fibre lines. Starlink uses satellites to connect devices on the ground.
With SA being slow to bring in Starlink technology, a number of telecom providers are working to secure deals that will, it is hoped, put them ahead of the competition, particularly in outlying and remote areas where connectivity continues to be a challenge.
Most recently, Seacom — famous for its undersea communications infrastructure — launched its own LEO service for enterprise clients, in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb.
Mobile operators Vodacom and MTN have also disclosed talks and deals with various LEO providers to supplement their own operations on the continent.
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