08 July 2022

 

 

Intelsat has partnered with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) satellite services company Raga Sat to launch a platform capable of providing new connectivity solutions in the Kingabwa district in Kinshasa City.

The former has chosen the central African nation after successful experiences in Japan, the US and Germany.

“Through this platform, we are empowering service providers and mobile operators to expand their network,” said Jean-Philippe Gillet, vice president of Intelsat. He added that “it’s a network extension, but it’s also a network quality extension”.

In setting up this platform, Intelsat and Raga Sat RAGASAT, are pursuing an ambitious goal of providing new solutions that cover rural territories and provide connectivity to all people who need it.

Gillet added that the new platform also offers the possibility of providing back-up services to those already existing.

“Throughout the country, mobile operators will be able to connect more people. It’s not only people, but it’s also roads, it’s regions that we want to cover,” he said. “All this is done with a reduced investment.”

A platform shared among multiple customers and allows for rapid and reduced investment deployments means that mobile operators will be able to use this service to provide connectivity to their subscribers and expand their coverage area.

“This teleport is the culmination of several years of effort, sacrifice, perseverance and determination to make a difference in the telecommunications sector in order to ensure optimal service, professional, for all customers, to international standards,” added Philippe Israel, director general, Raga Sat. “The long-term vision is not only to increase the overall penetration of broadband Internet in the city of Kinshasa but also to provide solutions that will allow mobile operators to extend their network across the country in order to increase the connectivity rate.”

For him, the opportunity to collaborate and accompany the world leader in satellite sector Intelsat is a pride for RAGASAT. This will allow both entities, he said, to continue to contribute to the vision of the Congolese Head of State, Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, to make broadband Internet accessible to all.

The ceremony saw the participation of the famous basketball player Mutombo Dikembe, who is a shareholder in the project.