Angola, located on the west central coast of Africa, is a country rich in natural resources like diamonds and gold. However, it faces challenges and is working on diversifying its economy by focusing on new industries that rely on digital infrastructure.
The country had 11.78 million internet users at the beginning of 2023, representing a 3.1% rise from the previous year. Internet penetration stood at 32.6%, and there is a growing need for internet connectivity, especially among the youthful population.
Recognizing the importance of internet connectivity for economic development, the Angolan government has turned to satellite technology to bridge the digital gap. Despite the setback of the in-orbit failure of the Angosat-1 satellite, Angola successfully launched the Angosat-2 in 2023. This sovereign satellite has enabled the country to address its digital challenges and reduce disparities.
In partnership with Mercury Telecommunications Services (MST), ST Engineering iDirect has played a crucial role in deploying Ku-band services on Angosat-2 to connect remote locations and reduce digital disparity across Angola. The deployment of the multi-band satellite posed challenges, but through collaboration and leveraging existing technology, MST and ST Engineering iDirect overcame these barriers. The introduction of the Ka-band gateway at the site of the National Space Program Management Office has further facilitated the development of the Angolan National Space Programme.
Angosat-2 has opened up cost-effective satellite bandwidth access for Angolan institutions and companies, providing reliable connectivity services. MST has become the primary service provider for Angosat-2 Ku-band service offerings, including Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) and single users. This capacity is mainly utilized for enterprise and hub services, contributing to economic growth and connectivity for the population.
Importantly, the introduction of capacity on the Angosat-2 satellite has allowed for payments in the local currency, Kwanza, instead of US dollars, further benefiting the Angolan economy.
