EMEA-focused provider of satellite data communications services Avanti Communications Group has partnered with Nigerian connectivity and datacentre solutions firm MainOne to bolster broadband penetration in Nigeria.

At the annual IT conference Nerds Unite, hosted by MainOne, the companies confirmed they will provide KA-band satellite communication services to enterprises located in remote areas of the West African country.

According to a statement released by the companies, MainOne will leverage Avanti's newest satellite, HYLAS 4, launched in April 2018 to enable highly flexible capacity services with 100% country coverage of Nigeria.

"Such coverage is most critical and will accelerate the time to deploy internet broadband services into remote areas that are difficult to reach by fibre infrastructure. The partnership will also include the deployment of Avanti's ECO initiative, which bundles broadband access, solar power and embedded Wi-Fi services for schools and small communities, ideal for deployment in remote parts of the country where power availability and connectivity services remain a challenge," reads an excerpt from the statement.

The partnership is also backed with the commissioning and launch of Avanti's new Gateway Earth Station (GES) in Nigeria, hosted at MainOne's Tier III Data Centre 'MDXi'.

Libby Barr, chief operating officer at Avanti, said "We are delighted to be partnering with MainOne and look forward to building a strong relationship to enable rollout of satellite broadband services across West Africa. Avanti's products will greatly complement MainOne's existing fibre-based networks by providing reliable connectivity services to its enterprise customers beyond its immediate fibre reach."

Funke Opeke, chief executive officer of MainOne, added: "Our partnership with Avanti provides Nigeria the opportunity to accelerate expansion of broadband internet via satellite, to bridge the digital gap and improve digital transformation for more Nigerians. Such services are most critical for the oil and gas sector, and for the delivery of social and educational services into rural areas of the country. Beyond connecting institutions, Avanti's ECO solution also addresses the needs of their immediate communities and will accelerate getting more of our rural communities online."