• InterSAT is in talks with Eutelsat to add LEO satellite capability to its network

• The plan would start in East Africa but no deal has been signed yet

• The company aims to boost coverage in a region where internet use is still low

InterSAT, a satellite internet provider, is looking into the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to expand its services across Africa. The company is currently in talks with Eutelsat Group, a key partner, but no official agreement has been announced yet.

The initiative would begin in East Africa, according to Hanif Kassam, CEO of InterSAT, who said the use of LEO satellites could bring low-latency and more reliable connections to customers across the continent.

InterSAT plans to combine geostationary (GEO) and LEO satellite technology. This hybrid model is gaining traction among African providers following the 2023 merger of Eutelsat and OneWeb, which created a global operator that offers both GEO and LEO services. Other providers such as Rawafed, Paratus Group, and Q-KON Africa have already moved in this direction.

Eutelsat has previously said that the mix of GEO's coverage and LEO's speed offers a flexible and efficient solution for wider internet access.

InterSAT is targeting Africa’s under-connected population, which continues to offer large growth potential. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), internet penetration in Africa stood at 37.5% in 2024, with the population projected to reach 1.5 billion, based on UN estimates.

While the plan remains in development, the company may face growing competition if it proceeds. Starlink, the LEO-based satellite network operated by SpaceX, is already active in several African countries and expanding quickly.