General Director of ITA/Paratus, Francisco Pinto Leite and Henriques Manuel, Director of the Office of Administrative Modernization of Luena.

Internet Technologies Angola (ITA), part of the Paratus Group, launched its first broadband internet service in Moxico, Angola’s largest province in the east of the country.

The companies have described the new service as “a significant intervention to unlock the potential for both the private and public sectors in the province.”

They add that the latest network coverage consolidates their commitment to the government’s national telecommunications strategy which is based on the delivery of inclusive fibre and digital services across Angola.

Covering more than 1,000 kilometres, the new link begins in Lobito, in Benguela province, runs across the central plateau through the Huambo and Bié provinces, and ends in the city of Luena, Moxico.

The project includes the delivery of internet services to municipalities along the route and provides both residents and businesses the benefits of high-quality connectivity.Importantly, the link also enables the introduction of new telecommunications services such as cable television and educational and health public services.

Deputy Governor of Luena, Dr Victor da Silva says: “This is important for the country because the new link not only connects Luena to the rest of the world but, through high-quality technology from ITA/Paratus, it also provides Eastern Angola with access to the highest level of health and education services.We are able to promote the development of the best levels of service provision in areas such as banking, health, and education through having this new Internet service in Moxico.”

General Director of ITA/Paratus, Francisco Pinto Leite, adds that this connection marks a new chapter in the country's development.“Our plan has always been to develop robust infrastructures that may leverage the economic potential of municipalities and to promote inclusion and digital transformation. This new connection reaffirms our commitment to transforming Angola into a data hub in Africa.”

Pinto Leite concludes: “We are very proud of our collaboration with government, of our social responsibility initiatives to unlimit potential, and of the ITA/Paratus ambition to build Africa’s quality network.”

LTE agreement

In early November Paratus entered into a partnership with MTN Namibia, the result of which will see the two companies interconnect on LTE internet roaming services across the Southern African country.

Paratus launched Mobile LTE services in Namibia in 2016 and has expanded its coverage beyond Walvis Bay and other major corridors including Swakopmund, Okahandja, Rehoboth and Otjiwarongo.