Remote communication and IT Speedcast International Ltd has won a contract to provide satellite cellular backhaul services to Alpha Télécommunication Mali (ATEL).
ATEL is part of Planor Afrique Group, provider of the newest third-generation mobile network in Mali, Africa. Under the terms of the multi-million dollar agreement, Speedcast will use satellite to connect all remote areas of the country to the Bamako main core infrastructure, allowing millions of potential consumers to benefit from the branded Telecel voice and data services.
“We chose Speedcast as our satellite solutions provider for its impressive track record and its world class quality of service. ATEL aims to become a leader in Mali and needs a best-in-class solution to support its subscribers,” said Souleymane Diallo, CEO, ATEL Mali.
“Speedcast’s cellular backhaul suite of solutions are designed to optimise satellite traffic in telecommunication environments, lowering the total cost of ownership and bringing unrivalled quality of service to our customers’ networks,” added Erwan Emilian, EVP Enterprise & Emerging Markets, Speedcast. “Speedcast’s recent successes in Africa have demonstrated its technology leadership in the region.”
ATEL is Mali’s third cellular licence holder and has plans to invest $200 million to service the market, which will be able to support up to five million users. After successfully completing testing on calls, ATEL finalised a full commercial launch of the 3G cellular network, which will operate under the brand name Telecel.
Speedcast International Ltd claims to be the largest provider of remote communications and IT services in the world. Speedcast’s fully managed service is delivered via a global, multi-access-technology, multi-band and multi-orbit network of 70+ satellites and an interconnecting global terrestrial network, bolstered by extensive on the ground local support from 40-plus countries. This global “network of networks” allows customers to fully rely on the most robust, integrated infrastructure available in the market for their mission critical applications.
