On Thursday, Eutelsat Group, through its subsidiary OneWeb, officially launched its first low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite ground station in Luanda-Bengo, Angola. This new facility is key to expanding satellite internet coverage across Central Africa.
The ground station will connect LEO satellites to terrestrial telecom networks, enabling faster and more reliable internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas. This initiative supports Angola’s efforts to modernise its telecommunications infrastructure and become a regional digital hub.
The station acts as a Satellite Network Portal, facilitating high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity for businesses, public agencies, and telecom operators. Amr Ashour, Senior Manager of Market Access Middle East and Africa at Eutelsat OneWeb, said, “The issuance of this license represents a monumental advancement in our mission to transform telecommunications. The state-of-the-art facility will significantly enhance connectivity, optimise data transmission, and offer profound benefits to both metropolitan and rural areas throughout the African continent.”
Supporting digital Inclusion and economic growth in central Africa
The new ground station is expected to play a vital role in bridging the digital divide in Angola, where internet penetration stood at 44.8 percent with 17.1 million users as of early 2025. The project supports digitising essential public services such as education, healthcare, and government administration by providing high-speed internet access to rural communities. Eutelsat emphasised that this milestone aligns with its commitment to inclusive economic growth and digital transformation across Africa.
Beyond Angola, this station adds to Eutelsat’s expanding network of satellite gateways across the continent, including facilities in Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mauritius. These ground stations form part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity through next-generation satellite technology, bringing new opportunities for businesses and governments in Central Africa and beyond.
The launch marks the culmination of a four-year partnership between Eutelsat and Angola’s Communications Authority (INACOM), highlighting a collaborative approach to improving digital infrastructure in the region. The facility is poised to support Angola’s ambitions to become a leading digital economy in Central Africa, fostering socio-economic development through better internet access.
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