(Ecofin Agency) - Satellite service provider Intelsat and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN), a consortium that develops mobile network base stations in sub-Saharan Africa’s rural areas, have announced they have successfully connected a thousand remote localities in the region. This makes a total of 3.5 million more individuals that now have access to telecom services.

The deal for this project was signed in October 2018. At the end of 2019, the two partners had succeeded in connecting more than 500 localities. Access to the mobile network was made possible by AMN's solar-powered mobile connectivity solution and Intelsat's satellites positioned on the continent, providing mobile broadband connectivity.

According to Jean-Philippe Gillet (pictured), Managing Director of Intelsat's network business, “Bringing mobile connectivity to the most rural parts of Africa requires hybrid networks and innovative business models to truly close the business case. Our work with AMN highlights how we can rapidly, and cost-effectively, expand an MNO’s (Mobile Network Operator) reach and deliver critical connectivity to communities who many previously thought were impossible to connect.”