Friday, May 9, 2025
  • News & Reports
    • Animation Content
    • Broadcasting
    • Broadcasting Right
    • Broadcasting Service
    • Cinema Content
    • Connectivity
    • Content Distribution
    • Content Production
    • Content Regulation
    • Film Festival
    • Film Industry
    • Media Regulation
    • Mergers & Acquisation
    • OTT & Streaming
    • Pay-TV
    • Radio Broadcasting
    • Industry Executives
    • Reports
    • Satellite
  • Industry Resources
    • Audio & Podcasts
    • Reports & Presentations
    • TV and Videos
  • Products & Services
    • Promo: Spotlight Service
  • Events
    • All Events
    • BMA Events
  • Join BMA Network
  • Login
  • Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
  • News & Reports
    • Animation Content
    • Broadcasting
    • Broadcasting Right
    • Broadcasting Service
    • Cinema Content
    • Connectivity
    • Content Distribution
    • Content Production
    • Content Regulation
    • Film Festival
    • Film Industry
    • Media Regulation
    • Mergers & Acquisation
    • OTT & Streaming
    • Pay-TV
    • Radio Broadcasting
    • Industry Executives
    • Reports
    • Satellite
  • Industry Resources
    • Audio & Podcasts
    • Reports & Presentations
    • TV and Videos
  • Products & Services
    • Promo: Spotlight Service
  • Events
    • All Events
    • BMA Events
  • Join BMA Network
  • Login
  • Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
Join BMA
Login
No Result
View All Result
Home News & Reports

January 29, 2025

Closing The Connectivity Gap: How LEO Satellites Can Transform Africa’s Digital Landscape – Report
News & Reports
January 29, 2025

by Staff Writer BMA
January 29, 2025
in News & Reports, Satellite Network

Emerging satellite technologies, particularly Low-Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOs), are increasingly viewed as promising solutions for Africa, especially in areas where traditional infrastructure deployment is challenging or economically unviable. Industry experts suggest that LEO satellite services could significantly enhance connectivity for regions previously lacking access.

To effectively address Africa’s digital divide, a multifaceted strategy is essential. The insights shared by the Paratus Group and the Internet Society are critical, especially as Africa remains the least connected region globally. Current data reveals that over 60% of Africa’s population does not have access to broadband Internet, with many individuals spending more than 2% of their income on reliable services.

The Internet Society emphasizes that sustained investments in both submarine and terrestrial cable infrastructure, along with LEO satellites, are vital for reducing costs and enhancing the quality of connectivity. “The integration of new technologies like LEOs will significantly boost the availability, affordability, and resilience of Internet access across the region,” said Michuki Mwangi, technologist for the Internet Society, in an interview.

Paratus Group, a leading internet connectivity provider in Africa, anticipates that 2025 could transform the continent’s technology landscape. Rolf Mendelsohn, the chief technology officer at Paratus Group, noted, “We are observing several critical developments poised to reshape Africa’s digital infrastructure.”

He believes a major expansion of LEO satellite services is on the horizon, with providers like Starlink likely reaching around half of Africa’s nations. “This growth is pivotal for closing the connectivity gap, particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional infrastructure faces hurdles.”

Additionally, Mendelsohn highlighted the anticipated activation of the 2Africa subsea cable system, which is expected to significantly improve Africa’s international bandwidth capacity, enhance service quality, and reduce latency for internet services across the continent.

While both Mwangi and Mendelsohn express optimism about the digital advancements in Africa, especially in efforts to narrow the digital divide, they acknowledge that challenges persist. Mendelsohn stated, “Africa’s technological landscape holds vast potential; however, leveraging this potential necessitates a comprehensive approach to overcoming existing obstacles.”

A key challenge lies in the regulatory environment, which plays a crucial role in shaping the sector. Mendelsohn mentioned that although regulations are vital for consumer protection and market stability, there is significant potential for regulators to partner with industry stakeholders to develop frameworks that foster innovation and attract investment.

Emerging technologies can enhance this effort by increasing transparency, efficiency, and scalability in compliance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation domains.

Mendelsohn also pointed out the ongoing coverage deficit in Africa. Despite progress, many areas remain underserved, lacking basic connectivity infrastructure. Where coverage is available, the quality is often inadequate for contemporary digital demands, with many regions still without access to reliable 4G+ speeds, which are essential for modern applications and services.

“To address these issues, substantial investment from network operators is required to close the infrastructure gap. This involves both expanding coverage and upgrading existing infrastructure to support higher speeds and improved service quality,” he emphasized.

Mwangi noted that data from the Internet Society’s Pulse platform indicates that Africa’s aggregate Internet resilience score is only 34%, significantly lower than other regions. A resilient Internet connection sustains an acceptable level of service despite faults and operational challenges.

While bridging Africa’s digital divide is challenging, the combination of LEO satellite technology and continued investment in infrastructure presents a promising path forward.

Tags: ConnectivityInternet SocietyParatus GroupSatellite NetworkStarlink
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

January 29, 2025

South Africa: SpaceX Asks Regulator To Revise Black Empowerment Regulations Ahead Of Starlink Launch
Connectivity
January 29, 2025

Next Post

January 29, 2025

Kenya: Safaricom Seeks Undersea Cable Project Approval To Boost Internet Connectivity
Connectivity
January 29, 2025

Next Post

South Africa: LEO Satellite Service Transforms Rural Internet Services

Related Industry Resources

  • Understanding The Role of Telcos In Driving The Online Video Innovations USD 6.95
  • DRM: Connecting The Disconnected USD 4.95
  • Broadcast Content Innovation With Dynamic Ad Insertion For Digital Media USD 4.95
  • Visual Entertainment In 2020 Opportunities Convergence Offers Film And Television Producers USD 7.95
  • Maximise Your Reach, Take Your Content Anywhere Cost-Effectively USD 9.95
Publisher
-
Benjamin Pius

 About us

Our goal is always to keep industry stakeholders abreast of opportunities in technology and service innovations that are and will shape Africa’s broadcasting and media industry via quality news, information, intelligence and insight .

Contact us

+44 (0) 207 712 1526
info@broadcastingandmedia.com
BSP Communications Limited
Level 37, One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London, E14 5AB, United Kingdom

No Result
View All Result
  • January 29, 2025

    News & Reports
    March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Animation Content
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Broadcasting
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Broadcasting Right
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Broadcasting Service
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Cinema Content
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Connectivity
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Content Distribution
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Content Production
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Content Regulation
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Film Festival
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Film Industry
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Media Regulation
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Mergers & Acquisation
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      OTT & Streaming
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Pay-TV
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Radio Broadcasting
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Industry Executives
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Reports
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Satellite
      March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Industry Resources
    March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Audio & Podcasts
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Reports & Presentations
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      TV and Videos
      March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Products & Services
    March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      Promo: Spotlight Service
      March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Events
    March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      All Events
      March 20, 2025
    • January 29, 2025

      BMA Events
      March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Join BMA Network
    March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Login
    March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    Dashboard
    March 20, 2025
  • January 29, 2025

    March 20, 2025

© 2023 Broadcast Media Africa

  • Sign in

Forgot your password?

Email me a Sign in Link

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login