Vodacom Lesotho is turning to satellite technology to strengthen reliable connectivity for enterprises, public institutions and organizations operating in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult, costly or slow to deploy.
The new satellite broadband service dubbed Enterprise Satellite Connectivity Solution is powered by Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology.
Under the partnership, Starlink’s satellite technology will be used to provide mobile network backhaul in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited, unreliable or too expensive to deploy.
In Lesotho, where mountainous terrain can make the construction and maintenance of fibre networks, microwave links and telecommunications towers challenging, the technology offers an additional route to connectivity for businesses and public institutions operating beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure.
The solution particularly targets enterprises, public institutions and other organisations requiring dependable connectivity in difficult operating environments.
It is intended to provide customers with primary connectivity where terrestrial options are unavailable or impractical, resilient backup connectivity when existing networks fail, and what Vodacom describes as an “Unbreakable Internet” model, combining satellite and terrestrial links to support business continuity.
Lisemelo Ramafikeng, the Executive Head of Department: Vodacom Business said at the launch in Maseru this week that connectivity had become a strategic business requirement rather than simply an information technology service.
“For enterprises and public institutions, connectivity has become a strategic requirement for continuity, service delivery and sustainable growth,” she said.
Ramafikeng said the satellite solution would give customers a managed and dependable connectivity option, particularly those operating in complex or remote environments.
On his part, Vodacom Lesotho Chief Executive Officer Mohale Ralebitso said the initiative reflected the company’s focus on extending access while strengthening the country’s digital resilience.
“Lesotho’s geography requires connectivity models that are practical, resilient and capable of reaching people and organisations wherever they live, work and deliver services,” Ralebitso said.
He said satellite connectivity would complement Vodacom’s existing terrestrial network and could support sectors where interruptions in communications can have significant operational consequences.
These include agriculture, healthcare, financial services, construction and tourism, among others.
At group level, Navindran Naidoo, Executive Head of Department: Non-Terrestrial Networks at Vodacom Group, said LEO satellite technology was emerging as an important component of enterprise connectivity resilience.
Compared with traditional satellite systems, LEO networks operate much closer to Earth, enabling improved latency and higher throughput. For businesses, this can make satellite connectivity more suitable for applications that depend on relatively responsive internet connections.
Naidoo said Vodacom’s partnership with Starlink combines satellite technology with the group’s local installation, support and managed-service capabilities.
The objective, he said, is to help organisations maintain operations during disruptions caused by factors including power instability, infrastructure damage and remote operating conditions.
The business case extends beyond simply connecting remote offices. Vodacom said the solution could support branch connectivity, cloud-based services, digital payments, remote monitoring, video collaboration and e-government platforms.
It could also provide connectivity for education and health systems, emergency coordination, public safety, social protection payments and communication with citizens in historically hard-to-reach areas.
The launch included a panel discussion involving enterprise customers, including Letshego Financial Services and First National Bank Lesotho, focusing on the role of resilient connectivity in maintaining business continuity, customer convenience and uninterrupted digital services.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation NthatiMoorosi described the development as significant to Lesotho’s digital transformation ambitions.
Moorosi said the country’s digital future depended on ensuring that citizens, businesses and public institutions were able to participate in the digital economy regardless of where they were located.
“Every Mosotho, every enterprise, every public institution and every community must have a fair opportunity to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” she said.
The minister said the satellite broadband service should therefore be viewed as more than a commercial product.
She described it as a contribution to Lesotho’s wider development agenda, particularly efforts to build a connected, resilient and inclusive digital society in which geographical location does not determine access to economic and social opportunities.
Summary
- Vodacom Lesotho is turning to satellite technology to strengthen reliable connectivity for enterprises, public institutions and organizations operating in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult, costly or slow to deploy.
- In Lesotho, where mountainous terrain can make the construction and maintenance of fibre networks, microwave links and telecommunications towers challenging, the technology offers an additional route to connectivity for businesses and public institutions operating beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure.
- It is intended to provide customers with primary connectivity where terrestrial options are unavailable or impractical, resilient backup connectivity when existing networks fail, and what Vodacom describes as an “Unbreakable Internet” model, combining satellite and terrestrial links to support business continuity.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
