Phone satellite firm Thuraya Telecommunications Company and Airtel Africa have partnered in a new deal that will see more remote areas connected to Airtel network in Africa and have access to mobile satellite products and services.

The reseller deal will see the Airtel sell Thuraya satellite devices to its  customers in 17 countries in Africa. The gadgets aim to up Airtel Africa customers voice and broadband connectivity via Thuraya’s satellite network from May onwards.  The deal will also help Airtel Africa extend its mobile network coverage via Thuraya’s satellite network for both voice and data needs of Airtel Africa individual and enterprise users in sectors such as mining, energy, media, government and humanitarian NGO sectors. 

According to Christian de Faria, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, “Providing reliable connectivity in many remote parts of Africa can be challenging. This partnership enables us to further extend our coverage and services for businesses and general consumers who live or work in very remote areas. Thuraya’s satellite services will be combined with the reliable, high-quality voice calls and broadband access that our customers are accustomed to experiencing in our urban centers.”

Thuraya’ also sees the partnership with Airtel Africa as a very positive development in bridging the digital divide in Africa.

“We recognize the massive impact that access to reliable communications can have on the lives of ordinary people,” said Samer Halawi, Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya. ” Thuraya’s robust satellite network will enable Airtel Africa to provide its consumer and enterprise users with reliable, high quality voice and broadband services. Thuraya is well-positioned to support customer-centric mobile operators like Airtel Africa that are looking to extend their network and services with satellite-based solutions.”

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