Airtel Madagascar and Eutelsat Expand Satellite Connectivity

Airtel Madagascar and Eutelsat OneWeb are continuing to expand satellite-enabled broadband services across Madagascar, bringing high-speed connectivity to areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited or unavailable.

The solution is built on OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, delivering broadband connectivity with latency of around 70 ms and supporting applications that would traditionally require fibre or mobile broadband coverage. By integrating the satellite layer with existing fibre and 4G networks, Airtel has created a hybrid connectivity platform designed to improve resilience and extend reach across the island.

Rather than operating as a standalone service, the satellite network complements existing infrastructure, providing additional capacity and redundancy for businesses, institutions and communities that depend on continuous connectivity.

The deployment is already supporting a range of use cases. In rural areas, it is helping to extend internet access to underserved communities, while enterprises are using the service to support business operations in locations beyond the reach of traditional networks. Airtel also highlighted successful trials in the rail sector, where download speeds of up to 100 Mbps were achieved aboard a moving train.

Madagascar presents a particularly compelling case for satellite broadband, given the challenges of deploying terrestrial infrastructure across large and sparsely connected regions. In this context, LEO satellite systems are increasingly being viewed as a practical extension of national connectivity strategies rather than simply a last-resort option.

The partnership reflects a broader trend across emerging markets, where operators are combining terrestrial and satellite networks to accelerate digital inclusion and expand coverage without the cost and complexity of building infrastructure into every location.