Satellite data communications specialist Avanti Communications Group PLC (LON:AVN)is to bring broadband connectivity to sub-Saharan Africa.
Telecoms company Millicom has got on board Avanti’s ECO initiative, which is focused on providing super-fast satellite broadband to schools and local communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership will additionally commission a new Gateway Earth Station (GES) in Senegal.
Avanti will build a new GES and use the Diamniadio data centre, which is soon to be launched by a subsidiary of Millicom.
Diamniadio is the first Tier III-designed data centre to be certified by the Uptime Institute within UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union).
Avanti said the development of this data centre will provide a growth platform of the highest quality infrastructure to support Senegal's ambition of providing world class enterprise services within the region.
The new GES will ensure traffic generated through the upcoming launch of Avanti's HYLAS 4 Ka-band satellite is managed in a secure and efficient way.
The launch of HYLAS 4 will see Avanti complete its internet connectivity coverage across the entire continent.
Millicom will support the deployment of ECO wireless base station sites across Sub-Saharan Africa with Avanti, providing rural schools and communities that have poor or no internet connectivity, with a quality and reliable broadband connection.
“Avanti is pleased to partner with Millicom, who are well placed to support our infrastructure and deliver market access across Sub Saharan Africa for our products. In particular, working together on the ECO project to deliver satellite back-hauled rural access is a significant opportunity," said David Williams, chief executive of Avanti Communications.
Shares in Avanti were up 5% at 13p in mid-morning trading, providing a much needed boost to shareholder morale; the shares are down almost 40% year-to-date.