INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
Eutelsat expands use of Express Wi-Fi with Facebook
Eutelsat Communications is expanding its use of the Express Wi-Fi platform in partnership with Facebook to provide broadband services via satellite across several regions in Sub-Saharan Africa .
With Express Wi-Fi , Eutelsat aims to connect thousands of people in rural and underserved communities spanning Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ), Nigeria , Côte d ’ Ivoire , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia , Kenya , Madagascar , South Africa , Cameroon , Ghana and Zimbabwe .
Express Wi-Fi is a platform developed by Facebook Connectivity that enables partners to build , grow and monetise their Wi-Fi businesses in a scalable way , while providing their customers with fast , affordable and reliable Internet access . Express Wi-Fi is used in more than 30 countries , including in multiple Asian , South American and African markets , helping millions of people connect over Wi-Fi .
Philippe Baudrier , General Manager , Konnect Africa , said : “ We are delighted to partner with Facebook in this ambitious scheme , aimed at getting more people online in the most underserved areas of sub-Saharan Africa . This initiative is the perfect example of the power of satellite connectivity to bridge the digital divide , with unmatched economic and social benefits . We are proud once again to leverage the unparalleled coverage of EUTELSAT KONNECT to satisfy this growing demand .”
Fargani Tambeayuk , Head , Connectivity Policy , Sub-Saharan Africa , Facebook , said : “ At Facebook , we ’ re committed to working with partners to help expand connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa , which continues to be the region with the highest coverage gap . Connectivity is essential to ensuring access to jobs , education , healthcare and more . We ’ re proud to partner with Eutelsat to combine the power of the Express Wi-Fi platform and EUTELSAT KONNECT , with the goal of increasing satellite broadband coverage across rural and underserved areas of Sub-Saharan Africa .”
Founded in 1977 , Eutelsat Communications is one of the world ’ s leading satellite operators . With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure , Eutelsat enables clients across video , data , government , fixed and mobile broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers , irrespective of their location . p
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