• Eutelsat, Unconnected.org launch satellite community Wi-Fi in Tanzania

• Service targets underserved areas beyond terrestrial networks

• Tanzania had 58.6 million internet subscriptions in 2025

Satellite communications operator Eutelsat announced on Wednesday a partnership with nonprofit Unconnected.org to deploy satellite-based community Wi-Fi in underserved areas of Tanzania.

The initiative aims to expand digital access in regions where terrestrial networks remain limited or absent, with plans to scale the model across Africa.

“Through EUTELSAT KONNECT, we are already seeing the tangible impact that satellite broadband can have in communities across Africa — from schools and clinics to local entrepreneurs. Partnering with Unconnected.org allows us to extend this reach further, supporting sustainable, community-based connectivity that delivers real social and economic value,” said Philippe Baudrier, Eutelsat’s vice president for Africa.

The project will roll out the KONNECT community Wi-Fi service through local partners, including internet service providers, NGOs, system integrators and Tanzanian government authorities. The business model is designed to deliver a rapid return on investment for local stakeholders while expanding digital access in hard-to-reach areas.

The service relies on the EUTELSAT KONNECT high-throughput satellite, located at 7° East, to provide coverage to schools, health centers and small businesses beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, helping improve education, healthcare and local entrepreneurship.

The launch comes as Tanzania’s digital sector undergoes rapid change. According to the latest report from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the country had nearly 58.6 million internet subscriptions at the end of 2025, representing a penetration rate of about 85.3% of the population. Growth has been driven by the expansion of 4G and 5G networks and widespread smartphone adoption. Despite this progress, many rural and remote areas remain poorly connected, underscoring the relevance of satellite solutions.

Tanzania is advancing its digital agenda under its 2025 National ICT Policy and the World Bank-supported Digital Tanzania Program to strengthen the use of digital technologies in education, health and entrepreneurship. GSMA forecasts 11 million new mobile internet subscribers between 2023 and 2030, placing the country among the five fastest-growing markets on the continent over that period.

Samira Njoya