By Winnie Kamau
Nairobi, Kenya: Communication in Africa has changed with the advent of technology and innovation. Unlike decades ago where access to the internet was low currently as per the Internet Society data shows Internet penetration rate in Africa is at 43% as of December 2021. But all this is changing with the launch of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
LEO satellites orbit the Earth at a lower altitude compared to traditional satellites, allowing for faster and more efficient data transfer. This means that even remote areas in Africa could now have access to reliable and affordable internet services.
Some of the benefits from internet access in remote areas are, farmers expected to access climate updates, market prices and other critical information to improve their yields. Students in remote villages can now attend online classes and have access to a wealth of knowledge. Businesses can also connect with clients from all over the world, boosting the economy and creating jobs.
Governments in Africa are now seeing the potential of LEO satellites and partnering with private companies to launch their own constellation of satellites. This has helped to bridge the digital divide and improve governance by providing access to vital information and communication services to citizens.
In Africa one of the LEOs that is being experimented is the Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, which launched its LEO satellites to provide high-speed internet services to remote and underserved areas around the world.
Starlink is determined to bring its services to Africa and has worked closely with local governments and partners to make it happen despite the challenges faced in setting up shop in the continent.
Starlink’s LEO satellites have brought a new level of connectivity to Africa, helping to bridge the digital divide and provide opportunities for economic and social development. The future looks bright for Africa, as more and more LEO satellites are launched to provide essential services to its citizens.
There are several Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations operating in Africa including OneWeb which is a global satellite internet service provider with plans to bring its LEO satellite constellation to Africa.
The Amazon Project Kuiper is an initiative by Amazon to launch a network of LEO satellites to provide broadband internet access to underserved and unserved communities around the world, including Africa.
Globalstar is a US-based company that provides satellite communication services, including voice and data services, to customers in Africa. The last but not least is Iridium a British global satellite communications company that provides voice and data services to customers in Africa through its LEO satellite constellation.
These LEO satellite constellations are expected to greatly improve internet access and connectivity in Africa, especially in rural and remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or non-existent.
