Eutelsat Group recently announced the successful deployment of satellite services to connect one million sub-Saharan Africa to trusted high-speed internet as part of its partner 2Connect Digital Coalition Pledge.
Eutelsat achieved this milestone two years ago by deploying the Eutelsat Konnect Wi-Fi hotspot powered by the Eutelsat Konnect Geo Satellite.
Global African success stories
Partner2Connect (P2C) is a global initiative by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) aimed at promoting universal connectivity and digital transformation.
By forming partnerships and ensuring commitments under the P2C banner, ITUs can mobilize new resources and promote reliable connectivity.
To date, US$54 billion has been pledged to date, allowing P2Cs to concentrate on some of the world's most connected and most challenging regions, including remote or isolated developing countries.
The level of support that P2C attracts allows meaningful economic and social advances by linking individuals, schools, healthcare providers and businesses to experience, information, resources and services.
The power of partnerships
Eutelsat is used to forming partnerships for success in Africa. For example, Eutelsat OneWeb's partnership with Q-KON has enabled Africa to develop and distribute Super Smart Twoobii-Leo satellite services. This partnership model is designed to drive innovation on a global scale and to allow Q-kon to develop and deliver customer-centric solutions specifically developed for business use cases in Africa.
1 + 1 = 3
By accessing local market insights from partners like Q-Kon, Eutelsat is able to successfully deliver connectivity solutions to African markets, as it focuses on maintaining its global technology advantage. At the same time, the model allows engineered services to meet the needs of African end-users, providing within the continental ecosystem of regional service providers and field engineering companies.
This partnership model could constrain the short-term net revenues of global operators such as Eutelsat, but this should be set against the possibilities of a permanent, collaborative, profitable structure supported by sustainable market engagement.
Added value
Importantly, this model differs from the typical distributor/reseller model, which often increases costs to end users without adding specific value or addressing the needs of a particular user.
The Eutelsat OneWeb and Q-Kon partnership will reduce value and cost by creating a platform for Super Smart Twobii-Leo satellite services to solve specific African-centric requirements.
Expanding African footprint
Eutelsat has partnered with a variety of African entities to advance its mission and achieve its goal of providing reliable satellite internet connections with low cost and high availability.
These include satellite operators such as Egyptian Nilet and Nigerian communications satellites. Additionally, partnerships with private companies such as Bayobab and Q-Kon have proven to be able to enhance internet connectivity across FinTech, healthcare and community applications.
Conclusion
Traditional African wisdom is, “If you want to travel faster, travel alone. If you want to travel far, travel together.” The success of Eutelsat's African partnership proves this true and is another example of the power of a joint business model that provides sustainable value in African businesses, mining, industry, retail and financial markets.
For more information about Super Smart Twoobii-Leo Satellite Services, click here.
The author is Dr. Dawie de Wet (Pr Eng; MSC Eng), Group CEO of Q-KON and African Support Satellite Broadband Service Twoobii. With over 30 years of experience in designing, engineering, developing and implementing wireless, microwave and satellite communication systems in Africa, De Wet focuses on developing communication solutions that meet the user requirements of emerging markets through the deployment of world-class technology. Read more article by Q-KON on TechCentral This advertised content was paid by stakeholders
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