en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK satellite operator Avanti Communications is expanding its operations in South Africa, focusing on enterprise, mobile backhaul, and rural connectivity. Speaking to ITWeb, the company's CEO Kyle Whitehill stated that Avanti already holds the necessary licenses to operate in South Africa and will serve needs such as community connectivity, enterprise resilient communications, and government digital inclusion initiatives.
Whitehill noted that Avanti's business revolves around three areas. The first is mobile operators, where Avanti's satellite coverage reaches all communities in South Africa, supporting mobile network expansion into remote areas. He said the mobile industry does not build networks in rural areas due to cost, and satellite is the only commercially viable option. The second area is providing resilient connectivity for enterprise customers, such as offering primary or backup satellite links for supermarket retailer Spar's stores and distribution facilities, ensuring the integrity of communication infrastructure. The third priority is connecting schools, and although deployment is progressing slowly, the company believes educating children contributes to the nation's future prosperity.
When discussing competitors, Whitehill denied that Avanti benefits from Starlink not having an operating license in South Africa. He emphasized that competition is good for the market, but all satellite operators must adhere to the same regulatory framework. He argued that as long as Starlink complies with South African laws and regulations, it should be allowed to enter the market. Whitehill stated that Avanti and Starlink have different market positions; the latter primarily targets residential broadband through direct consumer subscriptions, while Avanti serves enterprise and government clients with longer sales cycles based on trust and long-term relationships.
On the technology front, Avanti has not deployed its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites but instead provides LEO services through South African telecom company Q-KON in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb. Whitehill said there is currently no significant demand for LEO. He believes satellite technology has made remarkable progress, and Avanti can cover the entire country from an orbit 36,000 kilometers above the ground, offering speeds exceeding 400Mbps, with daily performance comparable to terrestrial broadband. He specifically noted that satellite prices have dropped by 60% to 70% over the past few years, but they still cannot compete with fiber in terms of purely affordable capacity.
In terms of local partnerships, Avanti collaborates with South African partners such as Q-KON, BCX, and Paratus, and provides rural mobile backhaul services for MTN. The company is building new ground stations, with all traffic remaining within South Africa. Whitehill expects the local workforce in South Africa to increase from the current 10 to 12 employees to around 20 as the business grows. Avanti is also expanding its African footprint to Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Angola. In Kenya, satellite connectivity supports an online adaptive learning program serving approximately 300 schools and about 300,000 learners, with data showing that girls can learn the equivalent of 18 months of knowledge in less than nine months.
Whitehill believes that satellite communications have become the most exciting and dynamic part of the telecom industry, bringing entirely new technologies that serve different communities in different ways. He emphasized that Avanti will continue to invest in infrastructure, market access, and delivery capabilities, solidifying its position in the telecommunications landscape of South Africa and Africa.
