Emtel Ltd has partnered with Eutelsat Group, a specialist in low orbit satellite constellations, to build the very first ground station in Mauritius. This partnership, which will benefit both customers and businesses, will help extend service coverage of Eutelsat Group’s Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation along the eastern seaboard of the African continent, to Madagascar as well as to other island nations, including large parts of the Indian Ocean.
Eutelsat Group’s ground station in Mauritius is connected through geographically diverse subsea cable routes, adding resilience to the network and rendering the ground station the largest consumer of international bandwidth in the country.
By enabling the LEO satellites to provide low-latency broadband connectivity in a radius of up to 3,500 kms around Mauritius, Eutelsat Group’s ground station contributes to helping close the digital divide in Africa and the Outer Islands of Mauritius, whilst also enhancing connectivity onboard aircraft and vessels traversing the Indian Ocean.
Kresh Goomany, Chief Executive Officer of Emtel commented: “Eutelsat Group’s gateway poses a monumental opportunity and an essential pathway to unlock boundless potential for the digital future of Mauritius and the wider Indian Ocean region. Today, I am thrilled to announce our unwavering commitment to transforming Mauritius into a thriving connectivity hub by collaborating and providing services to the largest satellite ground station in the Indian Ocean, which represents a bold leap towards a more inclusive and connected world.”
Availability of broadband connectivity in the region will strengthen air and maritime safety, support the fight against illegal fishing and piracy, enable emergency telemedicine for passengers and crews onboard aircraft and vessels, while also contribute to the enhancement of passenger experience and crew welfare.
With this partnership, coast guard and naval fleets operating in Mauritian waters and beyond will now be able to access low-latency high bandwidth connectivity improving communications, coordination, and situational awareness, thereby allowing maritime operations including fishing patrols and rescue efforts to become faster and more efficient.
Massimiliano Ladovaz, Chief Operations Officer of Eutelsat Group, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Emtel, marking another significant step in enhancing connectivity services around the world, particularly to the Eastern side of the African continent, and to many island nations. Connectivity is absolutely critical for enhancing safety on land, at sea, and in the air. This expanded service not only reinforces our commitment to bridging the digital divide, but also extends connectivity to the most remote and challenging regions worldwide.”
Shivendra Nautiyal, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Emtel, shared his excitement about the completion of a groundbreaking project in Mauritius, underscoring its global and local significance. He stated, “We are very proud and happy to showcase this unique achievement, It’s one of the 43 locations all around the world for which Mauritius was chosen through a very competitive process and engineering.” Reflecting on the journey and collaboration that brought the project to fruition, he added, “We won this project about two years back and we have successfully now completed the project delivered to one of the biggest satellite operations coming here in the world. It’s a multi-million dollar investment. Working in very close collaboration with the movement agencies, with EDB, with various housing and industries of Mauritius, we were able to successfully deliver this project in about two years.”
The LEO network will also add much needed resilience to the global communications network by providing backup connectivity to Mauritius’ Outer Islands and island nations across the Indian Ocean.
About Emtel
Emtel is a leading telecommunications company based in Mauritius, offering a comprehensive suite of telecom services. With a strong track record of innovation and industry firsts, Emtel Ltd has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and service. The company’s investments in the METISS cable, data centers, 5G network, and the first satellite ground station in Mauritius, in partnership with OneWeb, demonstrate its commitment to staying at the forefront of the telecom industry. Emtel’s focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value creation makes it an attractive opportunity for investors seeking growth and returns in the dynamic telecom sector.
Emtel is committed to playing a key role in building a smarter future for Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega, a future where positive economic, environmental and societal outcomes are powered by technology.
About Eutelsat Group
Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 37 Geostationary satellites and a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites.
The Group addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes more than 6,500 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services.
Eutelsat Group’s unique suite of in-orbit assets enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and the Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,700 people across more than 50 countries. The Group is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL)
