Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) has made an exciting announcement that could revolutionize telecommunications in remote and rural communities across the world. The company has entered into a commercial agreement with Starlink, SpaceX’s constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, to bring high-speed, low-latency internet services to even the most isolated areas.
Bringing Connectivity to the Most Remote Communities
AMN’s vision of connecting the unconnected is now closer to becoming a reality. With Starlink’s support, AMN aims to provide 3G and 4G services to rural communities with unparalleled quality and reliability. By utilizing Starlink’s advanced satellite technology, AMN can deliver ever-increasing amounts of bandwidth and data, ensuring subscribers have access to the services they need while maintaining economic viability.
Ambitious Plans for the Future
AMN plans to deploy Starlink terminals at various sites in Nigeria throughout 2023. This forms part of a more extensive project to connect 700 additional rural communities before the end of the year. Currently operating over a thousand sites in Nigeria, AMN has even bigger plans to increase this number to two thousand by the end of the second quarter of 2024. The impact of this initiative will not be limited to Africa alone, as AMN recently launched services in Latin America and plans to offer services in Asia from 2024.
Powering Connectivity with Cutting-Edge Technology
AMN’s Radio Access Network (RAN) technology is at the core of this transformative project. This flexible and innovative multi-carrier and multi-technology system can operate with up to 5 simultaneous carriers in 2G+3G or 2G+4G configurations. With a single radio node installed on its low-cost base stations, AMN can provide 2G (GSM) and 3G (HSPA+) or 4G (LTE) services, making telecommunications accessible to more than 10 million people in nearly 4,000 communities across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
A Game-Changing Collaboration
Mike Darcy, CEO of AMN Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency link, combined with AMN’s flexible RAN, allows us to deliver 3G and 4G – and later 5G – services to remote communities around the world.” The joint effort is already making strides in Nigeria, where AMN has over 1,000 operational base stations today, with plans to expand further. The collaboration with Starlink promises significant growth in both the number of sites and the range of services offered, ushering in a new era of connectivity for millions.
Chad Gibbs, SpaceX Vice President for Starlink Business Operations, also shares in the excitement, stating, “Today’s announcement of Africa’s first cellular network to use Starlink for the backhaul is an important step that will bring high-speed connectivity to millions of people on the continent for the first time, especially in rural and isolated communities.”
A Bright Future for Africa’s Connectivity
AMN’s commitment to connecting the unconnected, combined with Starlink’s cutting-edge satellite technology, holds the promise of bridging the digital divide in Africa and beyond. As AMN continues its mission to expand access to telecommunications services, these advancements will play a vital role in empowering communities, driving economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for millions. With a vision of a fully connected world, the collaboration between AMN and Starlink represents a giant leap towards a more inclusive, prosperous, and connected future.
