EMTEL Ltd has been awarded a contract to bring internet connectivity to St. Brandon at a signing ceremony in Port Louis today.
The contract between EMTEL Ltd and the Information & Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) was signed in the presence of Dr. the Hon. Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, and representatives of the National Coast Guard (NCG), the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), and The Raphael Fishing Company.
Under the contract, EMTEL Ltd will provide satellite-based internet and communications services to Raphael Island within the St. Brandon archipelago, marking a first for one of the most remote Outer Islands of Mauritius, over a two-year period. The extension of the EMTEL network to St. Brandon will strengthen safety, maritime monitoring and meteorological capability in a cyclone-prone area, supporting the resident community.
Commenting on the contract award, Marcelo Aleman, CEO of EMTEL Ltd, said:
“Today we are signing the agreement that brings Raphael Island, in the St. Brandon archipelago, onto Emtel’s network. Providing connectivity solutions to the Outer Islands is not new for EMTEL. When ICTA needed a solution for Agalega, EMTEL built it. St. Brandon draws on the same team and experience.”
“This is also where Emtel’s broader vision comes in. We are focused on being the Trusted Digital Backbone of Mauritius, connecting people, powering businesses and enabling the country’s digital economy, on the mainland and on every Outer Island that forms part of its territory. We were the first to bring 5G to this country. We keep closing coverage gaps and extending our fibre footprint to where people are building and moving. St. Brandon is that same principle applied to our furthest point”.
“We would like to thank the ICTA for placing their trust in EMTEL, and our partners the National Coast Guard (NCG), the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), and The Raphael Fishing Company for their positive collaboration on this project as a significant national effort. We also confirm our commitment to keep investing in this country’s infrastructure inclusive of the Outer Islands,” he underlined.
Bertrand Boulle, Director of The Raphael Fishing Company, welcomed the contract award as a positive development in securing the protection of St. Brandon, commenting:
“We would like to congratulate EMTEL on the award of this Contract for the Provision of Internet Services to St. Brandon. The Raphael Fishing Company has and will continue to work closely with EMTEL in the preparation, transport and delivery of internet equipment and services to St. Brandon for the first time. It is a true first for the Outer Islands – and for Mauritius – a model of how private companies can work closely with government and regulators in providing a fast, efficient, and professional solution to serve the population’s security needs with the NCG radar and, those of conservation, in providing greater coverage of the fragile lagoon of St. Brandon.”
“Backed by a series of supportive Inter Ministerial Meetings, OIDC, ICTA, EMTEL and Raphael Fishing all cooperated in implementing a fundamental change to St. Brandon in less than two years. All are to be congratulated for being instrumental in the long term protection of St. Brandon”, he concluded.
About EMTEL Ltd
A Currimjee Group company listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, EMTEL Ltd is a leading telecommunications provider offering a complete range of telecom services.
As a true one-stop shop for ICT solutions, EMTEL delivers a wide range of products for individuals, homes, and businesses. Dedicated to bringing top-tier technology to the region, Emtel’s milestones include establishing the country’s first Tier 3 data centre in 2012, deploying 4G across Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Agaléga, launching the blink fintech app, and expanding 5G network coverage from Airbox to all mobile users.
Through major investments in the METISS cable, data centres, 5G infrastructure, and the island’s first satellite ground station with Eutelsat OneWeb, EMTEL remains at the forefront of the industry. With its focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value, EMTEL presents a compelling growth opportunity for investors while driving a smarter, technology-powered future for the region.
