Bridging the divide iSAT Africa CEO Rakesh Kukreja on the company’s moves to enhance communication strategies for the betterment of all With almost 50% of Africa still not adequately connected (20% is completely unconnected) there is a serious need to ensure that not only is network coverage reliable, effective, expansive and resilient, but also that solutions are sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. The latter points are highlighted by iSAT Africa CEO Rakesh Kukreja, who is concerned that any further delays in digital connectivity will stall Africa’s economic empowerment, with an adverse impact on communities and business enterprises. iSAT Africa is well positioned to provide solutions through three essential services. The first, network as a service (NaaS), allows telcos to run their networks, from site selection through to core network integration. Energy as a service (EaaS) ensures the same telcos are powered through renewable energy sources that allow them to earn sustainability credits. The third, backhaul as a service (BaaS), allows telecoms operators, businesses and organisations to connect to the internet, cloud services and private networks through advanced technologies that Kukreja describes as setting up the highway that data travels on. ‘This highway has incredible life-changing benefits,’ says Kukreja. ‘It allows individuals and communities to access, for example, education, healthcare and financial services, which can be life-saving in remote and underserved areas. These continental connections – and those that connect businesses and people to global networks – reduce inequality and bring marginalised populations into the fold of progress.’ In a contemporary world, progress can only be driven by telcos, whose role it is to handle the increasing and massive consumption (and security) of data and smartphone usage. This is something that nations using traditional terrestrial networks struggle to cope with in Africa, given the vast distances cabling needs to traverse, and the financial investment required to build infrastructure in remote locations with a low return on investment. They are also prone to unreliable electricity sources and theft of copper cable. That is not to say that Earth-based networks don’t still have a role to play, which in combination with non-wired tech, create an ecosystem that is particularly effective in high-density areas. However, remote areas have unique challenges in achieving the same seamless coverage, but understanding how these technologies work requires some explanation. ‘Satellite connectivity, particularly GEO [geostationary Earth orbit] satellites, has traditionally been an excellent option for connecting rural sites, especially when traffic is primarily voice,’ says Kukreja. ‘GEO satellites eliminate the need for costly terrestrial backbones and high OPEX [operational expenditure] for management. However, they have historically been less effective for high-speed data due to their high latency, more than 600 ms, which impacts the price-to-performance ratio compared to terrestrial technologies.’ This limitation is addressed by LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite constellations, which significantly reduce latency to under 150 ms. ‘iSAT Africa has developed a multi-orbit cellular backhaul approach that combines GEO and LEO satellites. This provides highly reliable connectivity for voice services via GEO satellites, and low-latency and cost-effective connectivity for data services via LEO satellites,’ says Kukreja. Another critical factor for the reliability and success of rural sites is power. With main grid electricity yet to reach many rural areas, and diesel generators being environmentally unfriendly and expensive to operate due to fuel logistics, solar energy has emerged as the optimal solution. Solar energy offers a sustainable, low-OPEX power source for rural sites, according to Kukreja. ‘Solar systems installed in rural areas can be fully managed remotely using advanced energy management systems, which allow operators to monitor energy production, consumption and storage while providing predictions for future power availability. By integrating weather forecasts and utilising AI-driven insights from historical data, the system predicts energy needs and schedules activities to ensure batteries maintain sufficient power levels for uninterrupted uptime. ‘This combination of innovative satellite connectivity and efficient solar power management makes rural sites more reliable, sustainable and cost-effective, supporting the goal of bridging the digital divide.’ The iSAT Africa strategy uses two verticals – telecom and enterprise – that synergise, through the supply of NaaS, EaaS and BaaS, businesses such as internet service providers (ISPs), mobile network operators (MNOs), banks, non-government organisations, universities, mining companies and government departments, which share infrastructure costs to optimise resource use. ‘MNOs and ISPs are already expanding into rural and underserved areas, which is creating a demand for turnkey solutions like iSAT Africa’s NaaS and EaaS,’ he says. ‘Targeting our telecom and enterprise verticals is a strategic move because they are interdependent, mutually reinforcing and critical for Africa’s digital and economic transformation, while also responding to the continent’s energy transition goals.’ Rural telecoms serviced by iSAT Africa are fitted with solar-powered systems that ensure consistent network availability. ‘We also provide renewable energy solutions at telecom sites that can be tapped into by nearby enterprises to power their operations,’ says Kukreja. ‘This creates new opportunities for shared energy systems and, as enterprises demand better connectivity, telecom operators are easier able to expand their networks, leading to a virtuous cycle of growth.’ iSAT has also ensured delivery is scalable. ‘Our modular and adaptable solutions allow operators to scale services as demand grows, ensuring long-term viability in rural areas,’ says Kukreja. ‘This manifests as real social transformation, bridging the urban-rural divide, supporting local governance, emergency response, and social programmes, which in turn fosters community resilience and development.’ Included under those drivers is the growth of individuals and marginalised populations who are better enabled to engage with e-learning platforms and telemedicine services at healthcare centres. ‘iSAT Africa partners with governments and non-profit organisations to subsidise or co-finance connectivity projects in underserved areas, and develop customised connectivity packages tailored to the needs and budgets of rural service providers who desperately need to participate in the digital economy.’ Proving just how effective iSat’s strategies are, is a business model it developed in Uganda in a project managed by the GSMA, an organisation that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. The requirement was the development of one site in each of five rural areas. The Ugandan government estimated that the population in these five areas was less than 1 000 per site. ‘This required selecting the right technology and business plan,’ says Kukreja. ‘To address the challenge, we used eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions – concrete-less towers to minimise environmental impact; solar energy for low operating costs; software-defined radios for voice and data with remote management capabilities; and backhaul solutions, including microwave and satellite connectivity. ‘Our focus was on a low CAPEX [capital expenditure] and OPEX model to make the business viable for low-population areas. We also implemented a “train the trainer” approach to educate local communities about the benefits of broadband for personal and commercial use. This user-adoption strategy resulted in the registration of 25 000 unique SIM cards across the five sites within three months of operation. These sites remain profitable for the mobile operator.’ Yet another success story is the collaboration with the Zambia Information and Communications Authority (ZICTA) to showcase the feasibility of broadband in rural areas. Here iSat upgraded two rural sites to support both voice and data, using special directional antennas to extend coverage. By the eighth month, data usage had surpassed 2 TB, and this without promotional discounts on handsets or data costs. Following the success of these two pilot sites, ZICTA signed an MoU with iSAT to upgrade more than 150 sites for voice and high-speed data. In South Sudan, the National Communications Authority aimed to expand coverage in suburban and rural areas to promote an inclusive economy and bridge the digital divide. Beyond its NaaS solution and GEO plus LEO backhaul, iSAT Africa also supported value-added services, including the conversion of street poles into smart poles that have multiple functionalities – lighting, mobile charging stations, weather monitoring and WiFi hotspots. ‘We are also further investing in South Sudan with the building of an additional 200 sites for completion in 2025. ‘Through these projects, we have demonstrated that with the right technology and community involvement, rural connectivity can be both impactful and commercially viable,’ says Kukreja. ‘While we do benefit from being able to tap into lucrative markets through our innovative and sustainable solutions, iSAT Africa is also driven to become a catalyst for economic change across the continent.’ By Kerry Dimmer Image: Kyra Welch/HM Images