Launching Sustainable Connectivity in Tanzania with Eutelsat KONNECT
unconnected.org, in partnership with Eutelsat, has launched EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite services in Tanzania, enabling affordable, high-speed internet access for rural and underserved communities.
This rollout introduces a scalable model for community Wi-Fi, designed to support local ISPs, NGOs, and government stakeholders in delivering sustainable connectivity.
Under the project, unconnected.org will introduce Eutelsat’s KONNECT community Wi-Fi service to local partners in Tanzania, including ISPs, NGOs, system integrators and government stakeholders.
Mea Thompson, CCO of unconnected.org, said the community Wi-Fi service will be implemented via a commercial model designed to accelerate return on investment, expand digital access in underserved and hard to reach places, and support long term delivery.
“By lowering the cost of backhaul, [Eutelsat KONNECT] enables viable business models that allow local ISPs and community partners to achieve a return on investment while connecting the unconnected,” she said in a statement. “This is exactly the kind of solution needed to scale digital access in a way that is both impactful and commercially sustainable.”
The initiative is also intended to lay the groundwork for expansion into additional African countries, said Philippe Baudrier, Eutelsat’s VP for Africa.
“Through Eutelsat KONNECT, we are already seeing the tangible impact that satellite broadband can have in communities across Africa – from schools and clinics to local entrepreneurs,” he said. “Partnering with unconnected.org allows us to extend this reach even further, supporting the development of sustainable, community-based connectivity that delivers real social and economic value.”
What is EUTELSAT KONNECT?
EUTELSAT KONNECT is a high-throughput satellite platform that delivers broadband connectivity across Africa, including areas where fibre and mobile networks are limited or unavailable. In Tanzania, this enables high-speed satellite internet to reach rural and remote locations, supports rapid deployment without the need for terrestrial infrastructure, and provides reliable backhaul for community Wi-Fi networks.
Enabling Community Wi-Fi in Tanzania
The core focus of this launch is to support community Wi-Fi deployments using satellite backhaul. Through a single satellite connection, local operators can extend internet access across multiple use cases, including schools and educational facilities, healthcare centres and clinics, small businesses and local entrepreneurs, as well as rural households via shared access points. This approach enables connectivity to be distributed efficiently and cost effectively across entire communities.
Lower-Cost Satellite Backhaul for ISPs
A key component of this initiative is reducing the cost of connectivity for local providers. By offering affordable satellite backhaul, EUTELSAT KONNECT enables local ISPs to expand into underserved areas, supports lower end-user pricing for rural communities, and allows for faster rollout of new connectivity sites. This ultimately improves the commercial viability of rural network deployments.
A Sustainable Connectivity Model
This launch is built on a commercially sustainable approach rather than short-term funding.
Key elements include:
Local partners owning and operating networks
Revenue generation through community Wi-Fi services
Scalable deployment models that can expand over time
This approach ensures that connectivity remains active beyond initial deployment.
Scaling Connectivity Across Tanzania and Beyond
The initiative will also lay the groundwork for expansion into additional African countries, as the two organisations collaborate to extend digital access across the continent. Powered by the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite at 7° East, the community Wi-Fi service provides high-speed connectivity to locations beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, enabling schools, healthcare centres, and small businesses to access essential online resources.
Access EUTELSAT KONNECT via the Impact Marketplace
EUTELSAT KONNECT services in Tanzania are available through the unconnected.org Impact Marketplace, providing partners with:
Discounted satellite connectivity
Access to deployment support
Integration with hardware and network solutions
This enables organisations to launch and scale connectivity projects more efficiently.
