SES and Africa Mobile Networks Extend DRC Coverage to 27% with 1,100 Rural Base Stations

Why It Matters

The expansion accelerates digital inclusion in one of Africa’s largest markets, unlocking economic and social opportunities while showcasing satellite backhaul as a viable solution for hard‑to‑reach regions.

Key Takeaways

• 1,100 solar‑powered base stations deployed across DRC
• Coverage now reaches 27% of population, 1.3M new users
• VSAT links enable service without power or fiber
• Radio Node tech supports multi‑operator 2G‑5G sharing
• Satellite constellations (GEO, MEO, LEO) provide backhaul

Pulse Analysis

Satellite‑backed infrastructure is reshaping how telecom operators reach Africa’s most remote communities. By pairing SES’s multi‑orbit constellation—spanning GEO, MEO and LEO satellites—with AMN’s solar‑powered VSAT‑linked base stations, the partnership sidesteps the traditional need for extensive fibre or grid electricity. This model not only reduces capital expenditure but also accelerates deployment timelines, as evidenced by the rapid rollout of 292 stations in just three days. The technology stack, anchored by AMN’s Radio Node platform, enables multiple carriers to share a single site while supporting legacy 2G up to future‑ready 5G services.

The immediate impact on the DRC’s underserved populations is profound. Residents in villages like Bompensole now enjoy reliable voice and data access, eliminating the need to travel tens of kilometres for medical, banking or educational services. This connectivity fuels local entrepreneurship, improves health outcomes through tele‑medicine, and integrates rural economies into the national digital ecosystem. With roughly 3 billion people worldwide still offline, the DRC case study illustrates how satellite‑enabled mobile networks can bridge the digital divide at scale.

Beyond the DRC, the SES‑AMN collaboration signals a broader shift in African telecom strategy. Investors are increasingly viewing satellite backhaul as a cost‑effective alternative to traditional terrestrial expansion, especially in markets where terrain and infrastructure pose significant barriers. The multi‑orbit approach offers redundancy and lower latency, making it attractive for emerging 5G use cases such as precision agriculture and IoT monitoring. As more operators adopt shared‑infrastructure models, the competitive landscape will likely evolve toward collaborative, satellite‑centric deployments that drive both coverage and revenue growth.