South Africa’s rural communities can access improved, affordable, reliable and high performance broadband internet services following the announcement of a new partnership between UAE-based global satellite operator Yahsat and leading local VSAT provider BCS . The partnership will enable Yahsat to extend its satellite broadband internet service, YahClick, to several underserved areas in South Africa. This news was announced at AfricaCom 2018 in Cape Town.
Yahsat is a global provider of satellite solutions to both government and commercial sectors. It has been providing its flagship broadband internet service, YahClick, in Africa since 2012. Today, YahClick is recognized as Africa’s No 1 satellite broadband internet service. . YahClick uses the Ka-band powered by High Throughput Satellite (HTS) spot beam technology to bridge the connectivity divide to areas without access to reliable cable-based services.
While internet penetration has been growing steadily in South Africa, rural areas, in particular, remain critically underserved and many agricultural businesses face significant connectivity restrictions. Satellite-based internet is the best solution according to Yahsat’s Chief Commercial Officer Farhad Khan who said the partnership with BCS “will boost the delivery of affordable, high performance broadband in South Africa and will be a key economic driver and an enabler for many communities”.
BCS’sCEO, Neil de Wet said the Yahsat partnership would allow them to bring far better internet services to farmers in particular: “Better connectivity means better business, better security and a better quality of life for farmers”.
The recent launch of Yahsat’s third satellite, Al Yah 3, has enabled YahClick to expand its footprint to cover 19 additional markets in Africa, YahClick works alongside 35 Service Partners on the continent with the number set to grow with new market launches expected during the remainder of 2018.