Satellite broadband solutions provider Konnect Africa, a Eutelsat affiliate, has launched its services in Benin, Cameroon, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda.

The company has also reaffirmed its ambition to be a partner of choice in Africa and raise the profile of satellite technology as a solution to address the digital divide and improve access to the internet.

In a statement the company confirms its intention to rollout 'pay-as-you-go' packages and WiFi hotspot schemes.

It adds that it has already attracted "a number of local operators, telecom companies and resellers" and partners include AfrikaNet GoSat; Bentley Walker; Bloosat; China Telecom (Africa and Middle East); Coollink; Global Broadband Solution; Ubora Systems; and Terrace Projects.

The company's value proposition is that it has tailored its offering to the specifics of each market in order to attract a broad audience.

"Wi-Fi hotspot access can be available for a few cents, family offers are being optimised for a few dozens of dollars, while high grade corporate services are also proposed to enable videoconferencing, storage, audio-visual content development and safe and reliable communication," the company states.

Konnect Africa has also confirmed its intention to train and reward local installers to enhance service quality.

Laurent Grimaldi, Chief Executive Officer of Konnect Africa says, "We aim to take broadband further and closer to multiple development sectors such as the healthcare system, education, agriculture or SMEs."

According to Konnect Africa unlike mobile wireless or fibre technologies, satellite broadband does not depend on terrestrial infrastructure and literally comes 'from above'.

It is seen as the best approach to provide populations in remote locations with access to efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-install internet solutions.