Satellite internet is all the rage in the US thanks to rise in popularity of Starlink. However, outside of the US, internet service providers have to go at it alone or partner with a satellite operator.

To that end, Liquid Intelligent Technologies has partnered with Eutelsat to bring broadband connectivity to Uganda, South Sudan and Eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Kongo.

We had hoped that Liquid was going to be using the Quantum satellite (pictured above) but it will instead be using the tried and tested Eutelsat Konnect satellite.

Liquid will host the first Eutelsat Konnect ground gateway in sub-Saharan Africa which is located in Krugersdorp, South Africa. This will allow Eutelsat to “expand local coverage and secure and create new business opportunities by offering enhanced broadband service performance”. For Liquid, this agreement means being able to get connectivity to parts of the continent that have been underserved by terrestrial networks.

“With this agreement, we will expand our service portfolio to include Ka-band services for the first time. We have always been early innovators and investors towards initiatives and technology that will help us realise our vision of creating a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind,” chief executive officer of Liquid Satellite Services, Scott Mumford, explained in a press statement.

This is great news for Africans as while Eutelsat are experts in satellite connectivity, Liquid has local knowledge and context. Together, hopefully these firms helps address the lack of connectivity on the African continent.