By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Sonatel
Orange has launched Senegal’s first satellite-based internet services, marking
a major step in the country’s digital transformation and efforts to achieve
nationwide connectivity. The new offering positions Orange as the first
operator to provide near-universal internet coverage across Senegal using a
combined mix of satellite, fibre optics, and mobile broadband technologies.
The
satellite internet service, launched on December 10, 2025, is being delivered
in partnership with Eutelsat’s Konnect platform. It provides unlimited
high-speed internet access to households and businesses, with monthly packages
priced at 30,000 CFA francs for residential users and 44,900 CFA francs for
professional customers. With the introduction of satellite connectivity
alongside fibre, 5G, and 4G networks, Orange now covers approximately 99
percent of the country.
According
to Sonatel Orange, the satellite solution is designed to address connectivity
challenges in hard-to-reach and underserved areas. The service is deployed and
installed by local technical teams, reflecting an approach that leverages
domestic infrastructure and local expertise to meet complex geographical and
social connectivity needs. The company says the initiative strengthens
Senegal’s digital sovereignty by ensuring continuity of service through
nationally controlled and locally managed systems.
In
parallel with the satellite rollout, Orange has announced a large-scale
expansion of its fibre optic infrastructure. Between 2026 and 2028, the
operator plans to deploy one million additional optical connection points as
part of its contribution to the Senegal Horizon 2050 Plan. By the end of 2028,
the total number of deployed optical sockets is expected to reach nearly two
million.
Initial
phases of the fibre expansion have already begun, with deployments completed in
December 2025 in several strategic and often isolated localities, including
Moudery, Sare Bidji, Ndiedieng, Ogo, and Koungheul. Orange indicated that
additional locations will be covered in the coming weeks, with a particular
focus on rural and remote communities. The company says the strategy reflects
its commitment to ensuring that access to high-speed connectivity is not
limited to urban centers.
Sonatel
Orange is also positioning itself as a key partner to the state in the
digitalization of public services. The company says its infrastructure is ready
to support broadband connectivity for schools and health facilities, secure
interconnection of government and local authority systems, and expanded access
to digital public services. As part of this effort, Orange has committed to
facilitating free access to selected public digital platforms through its
networks to reduce cost barriers for citizens.
Speaking
on the initiative, Sonatel Group Chief Executive Officer Brelotte Ba said the
country’s technology-driven development agenda is already taking shape through
concrete investments. He noted that with strengthened networks and new digital
services, Orange aims to continue serving as a core technological partner to
the state as Senegal advances its long-term digital transformation objectives.
