SES Satellite Backhaul Helps AMN Extend Rural Connectivity in Côte d’Ivoire
SES and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have completed a major upgrade of more than 200 satellite-backhauled telecom sites across Côte d’Ivoire, extending 2G and 3G mobile data services to over half a million people in rural areas previously without reliable coverage.
The upgrade, finalized between May and June 2025, forms part of AMN’s wider plan to expand its SES-powered network to 360 sites by year-end, supporting the rollout of its first 4G services this quarter. Each AMN site uses SES’s geostationary capacity for backhaul, enabling mobile operators to deliver affordable, high-quality connectivity in regions beyond the reach of terrestrial infrastructure.
To meet rising demand, SES has increased satellite capacity for AMN, ensuring greater bandwidth and service resilience as data traffic grows. AMN’s software-defined Radio Node platform allows remote upgrades and multi-carrier operation, reducing cost and power requirements, a model it views as scalable for use across rural Africa.
SES’s Jean-Philippe Gillet described the collaboration as central to “bridging the digital divide and enabling access to essential services,” while AMN CEO Michael Darcy said the initiative was helping rural communities unlock “new opportunities for learning, trade and innovation.”