By: Robert Kwaku
Annor
Vodafone
Group has signed an agreement with Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband
network, Amazon Leo, to enhance connectivity for remote 4G and 5G mobile sites,
with Africa as a primary focus through the Vodacom Group.
The partnership will leverage high-speed satellite
backhaul to deploy mobile services more rapidly and cost-effectively in rural
and hard-to-reach areas, while also strengthening network resilience for
critical services. The rollout is set to begin in Germany and other European
markets, with a progressive expansion across Africa through Vodacom Group.
Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group,
said the collaboration will allow the company to bring more people online and
provide access to essential digital services across the continent. “Partnering
with Amazon Leo enables us to swiftly deploy mobile connectivity in isolated
areas, allowing us to efficiently expand our reach to more customers throughout
Africa,” he said.
The first
satellite-connected sites are expected to go live in 2026. The initiative
aligns with Vodacom Group’s Vision 2030 goal of accelerating digital inclusion
and expanding connectivity access across Africa.
