Vodafone and Vodacom to Partner with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to Expand 4G/5G Services in Europe and Africa

Vodafone and Vodacom have announced an exciting collaboration with Project Kuiper, Amazon’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications initiative. The partnership aims to leverage Project Kuiper’s cutting-edge satellite network to extend 4G and 5G services to more customers across Europe and Africa.

In March 2023, Amazon unveiled a trio of satellite receivers as part of the company’s “Project Kuiper” internet service to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

Bringing Connectivity to Challenging Areas

One of the key objectives of this collaboration is to provide 4G/5G connectivity to areas that are often challenging and expensive to serve using traditional fiber or microwave solutions. Project Kuiper’s high-bandwidth, low-latency satellite network will be used to connect cellular antennas in geographically dispersed locations to the core telecom networks of Vodafone and Vodacom. This means that both companies will be able to offer advanced mobile services in a wider range of locations without the time and cost associated with building new infrastructure.

Global Connectivity Solutions

In addition to extending connectivity to more communities, Amazon plans to partner with Vodafone to roll out high-speed broadband services from Project Kuiper to unserved and underserved regions worldwide. The collaboration will also explore opportunities to provide comprehensive global connectivity solutions for enterprises, including backup services for unexpected events and connectivity expansion to remote infrastructure.

A Vision for Global Connectivity

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, emphasized the global impact of this collaboration. She highlighted how it would provide mobile connectivity to the estimated 40% of the global population currently without internet access, supporting various sectors such as education, healthcare, and emergency services. Della Valle also mentioned Vodafone’s work on direct-to-smartphone satellite services, further enhancing connectivity.

Dave Limp, Amazon’s Senior Vice President for Devices and Services, expressed Amazon’s mission to bridge the digital divide in unserved and underserved communities. He noted that the partnership with Vodafone would help maximize the value of expanded connectivity across different sectors, including residential broadband, agriculture, education, healthcare, transportation, and financial services.

Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, emphasized their commitment to connecting more people in Africa. He stated that collaborating with Project Kuiper would provide an exciting path to scale their efforts in reaching more customers across the continent.

Deployment Plans

Vodafone, Vodacom, and Project Kuiper will begin deploying services in Africa and Europe as Amazon’s production satellites become operational. Amazon is currently preparing to test two prototype satellites in the coming months, with plans to deploy production satellites in 2024. Beta testing of Project Kuiper services with select customers is expected to commence by the end of 2024, with Vodafone and Vodacom participating in this testing phase through their collaboration.

This strategic partnership between telecommunications giants and a global tech leader promises to unlock new possibilities for connectivity in regions that have long awaited enhanced internet access. It represents a significant step towards closing the digital divide and fostering economic and social development across Europe and Africa.

The collaboration is particularly noteworthy given the current circumstances surrounding Project Kuiper’s competitor, Starlink in Africa. Starlink has encountered some challenges in southern Africa. South Africa and Zimbabwe have expressed concerns related to licensing issues, and Botswana has noted that despite plans to introduce the service in Q3 2023, it has not yet obtained the necessary licenses.