Eutelsat and MTN Côte d'Ivoire sign satellite broadband deal for nationwide coverage

Eutelsat and MTN Côte d'Ivoire have signed a multi-year agreement to deliver satellite connectivity services using EUTELSAT KONNECT's high-throughput capacity. The deal expands reliable broadband access for consumer and enterprise segments, including community Wi-Fi hotspots in underserved areas, complementing terrestrial infrastructure.

Eutelsat and MTN Côte d'Ivoire have signed a new multi-year agreement to deliver satellite connectivity services across Côte d'Ivoire using EUTELSAT KONNECT's high-throughput capacity, according to an official announcement. The agreement expands reliable broadband access nationwide, addressing connectivity needs of consumer and enterprise segments while supporting digital inclusion through community Wi-Fi hotspots in underserved areas.

Eutelsat is a global satellite operator listed on Euronext Paris and the London Stock Exchange. MTN Côte d'Ivoire is a subsidiary of South Africa's MTN Group and the country's largest telecommunications operator. The KONNECT satellite, positioned at 7° East, provides high-throughput capabilities extending high-speed connectivity beyond the reach of fibre and mobile networks. The agreement follows a multi-year partnership signed in August 2024 with MTN's digital and infrastructure service provider Bayobab for capacity on Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO constellation.

This development matters for Côte d'Ivoire's digital infrastructure, where satellite connectivity complements terrestrial networks to deliver reliable access to essential digital services nationwide. The agreement builds on KONNECT's proven performance supporting digital inclusion initiatives across the region.

For the telecommunications industry, the deal demonstrates how satellite capacity can extend broadband coverage to rural and underserved areas where fibre deployment is commercially challenging. Stakeholders including consumers, enterprises, and rural communities stand to benefit from expanded connectivity and digital inclusion initiatives.