Facebook, Eutelsat Team to Provide Internet to Subordinated-Saharan Africa -- Update
October 05 2015 - 7:42PM
Dow Jones News
By Deepa Seetharaman
Facebook Inc. is teaming with French satellite operator Eutelsat
Communications SA to deliver Internet coverage to 14 countries in
Africa beginning next year.
The companies said they would tap communications capability on
the Amos-6 satellite, which is expected to be launched in 2016.
Amos-6 is being built by Spacecom.
Facebook and Eutelsat said they expect to begin beaming Internet
coverage to parts of west, east and southern Africa in the second
half of next year. South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya are
among the countries that will be covered.
The partnership is part of Facebook's Internet.org initiative to
extend Internet access to many areas of the developing world where
it isn't now available.
"To connect people living in remote regions, traditional
connectivity infrastructure is often difficult and inefficient, so
we need to invent new technologies," Chief Executive Mark
Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post. Mr. Zuckerberg said Facebook
will work with local partners "to help communities begin accessing
Internet services provided through satellite."
Facebook and Eutelsat said they have a "multiyear agreement"
with Spacecom to use Amos-6's broadband capacity.
Eutelsat said it is establishing a new company based in London
to lead its African broadband business, focusing initially on
premium consumer and professional segments, according to a
statement. The company aims to target small-business owners, the
spokeswoman said. The company will partner with telecom companies
and service providers.
Write to Deepa Seetharaman at Deepa.Seetharaman@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 05, 2015 19:27 ET (23:27 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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