(Ecofin Agency) - Communication satellite services provider Intelsat SA signed with Gondwana International Networks subsidiary AfricaOnline, a partnership agreement to provide broadband internet service across sub-Saharan Africa.

While Intelsat will provide satellite services via its Intelsat 28 satellite, AfricaOnline will provide ground support and network management services from Hartebeesthoek in South Africa, to deploy the internet services. By sharing charges, the two firms will reduce their operating costs and focus on the service they provide customers, as Virtual Network Operators (VNO).

“We want to be the leading VSAT services provider across Africa and this collaboration with Intelsat allows us to boost our portfolio of services. The upfront capital commitment and ongoing fixed operating cost structure of Ku-band VSAT has constrained expansion of services in Africa. A managed VNO platform allows for increased economies of scale, both in terms of capex and opex, and is a giant step forward in bringing cost-effective connectivity to Africa,” said Mathew Welthagen, CEO of Gondwana International Networks.