en.Wedoany.com Reported - Senegal's Sonatel recently completed the upgrade of the Gandoul satellite communication ground station, deploying 16 next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite antennas across an area of approximately 5 hectares, along with a Tier III-standard technical equipment room. The new facilities are connected to the OneWeb LEO satellite network under France's Eutelsat Group, linking the satellite constellation with Senegal's existing terrestrial communication networks to transmit high-speed internet data for local and other West African markets.
The Satellite Portal Network now in operation serves as the ground gateway for the OneWeb LEO satellite system. Communication signals from satellites are received and transmitted via the 16 antennas, and then routed through the technical equipment room to the fiber optic backbone network, submarine fiber optic cables, and other terrestrial networks. Unlike satellite receiving equipment designed solely for end users, this facility handles large-scale data exchange between the LEO satellite constellation and regional communication networks, serving as a critical infrastructure node for satellite internet to enter local operator networks.
The Gandoul ground station is not a newly built communication site; rather, it adds LEO satellite access capabilities to an existing satellite communication hub. Located in the Thiès region of Senegal, the station has been in operation since 1972, long undertaking international satellite communication and digital connectivity tasks. The site offers relatively open maritime views, low electromagnetic interference, and proximity to Dakar and Senegal's major digital infrastructure, making it suitable for continued development as a next-generation satellite gateway.
To ensure communication continuity, the new facilities are equipped with secure power supply infrastructure, redundant systems, and high-speed fiber optic connections. The satellite gateway is also interconnected with submarine fiber optic cables operated by Sonatel, domestic backbone networks, and international terrestrial networks, allowing data to be transmitted between satellite and fiber optic paths based on network conditions. This hybrid networking approach helps increase international communication capacity and provides alternative connection routes in the event of line failures.
LEO satellites, being closer to the ground, can provide supplementary connectivity to areas where traditional fiber optic and mobile networks are difficult to deploy. However, LEO satellite services still require the coordinated operation of ground gateways, fiber optic backhaul, power supply systems, and network control facilities. The 16 antennas and Tier III technical equipment room added in the Gandoul project fill a key link in connecting the OneWeb constellation with terrestrial networks in West Africa, while also expanding Senegal's capacity to carry cross-border satellite data.
This project is part of Senegal's "New Deal Technologique" digital infrastructure plan, with construction goals including improving broadband access, enhancing network resilience, and diversifying international communication paths. Sonatel stated that the Gandoul gateway will not only serve the Senegalese market but also provide connectivity support for neighboring countries, enterprises, and public institutions, further developing the ground station into a regional hub for satellite communications and fiber optic networks in West Africa.
Currently, Sonatel has not disclosed the investment amount for this upgrade, the design capacity of the satellite gateway, or specific service customers. What is clear is that the 16 satellite antennas, Tier III technical equipment room, redundant power supply, and high-speed fiber optic connections have all been deployed. The Gandoul ground station has been further upgraded from a traditional satellite communication facility into an integrated communication infrastructure connecting LEO satellites, submarine fiber optic cables, and terrestrial backbone networks.
