Avanti Communications and Clear Blue Technologies partner to deploy rural connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa
Expected to deliver rural network coverage for up to 400 million of the unconnected over the next 3-5 years
An Avanti telecom installation in sub-Saharan Africa with solar off-grid power provided by Clear Blue
An Avanti telecom installation in sub-Saharan Africa with solar off-grid power provided by Clear Blue
TORONTO, July 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avanti Communications (“Avanti”), the leading provider of high throughput satellite capacity across EMEA, today announces a partnership with Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (“Clear Blue”) (TSXV: CBLU) (FRA:0YA) (OTCQB: CBUTF), the Smart Off-Grid™ company, to enable Mobile Network Operators and Telco Tower Companies to deliver rural network coverage to areas across sub-Saharan Africa. Within the next three to five years, the partnership is expected to deliver mobile network coverage to the 400 million people that currently cannot access mobile broadband services.
Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to become one of the largest telecom markets in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa has a young population with a projected high population growth, at a rate of 2.7% per year, more than double the rate of growth in South Asia and Latin America. As a result, telecom operators are expected to invest $52 Billion in infrastructure from 2019 – 2025, much of which will be in rural deployment.
“We are thrilled to partner with Avanti to provide key telecom services to rural regions in sub-Saharan Africa, ultimately connecting the billions worldwide who lack telecom and internet access,” says Miriam Tuerk, CEO and Co-founder of Clear Blue Technologies. “With only 26% of Sub-Saharan Africa already connected through mobile internet, we’re looking forward to bringing connectivity to areas where costs and lack of infrastructure make internet services prohibitive.”
This partnership will accelerate the rural rollout of low-cost connectivity solutions in areas where network coverage and broadband services have been limited or non-existent. Avanti and Clear Blue have already successfully provided these connectivity solutions in significant deployments across Africa’s largest economies.
Avanti’s rural network coverage solution supports 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity across Africa. As part of this joint rural deployment effort, Avanti will provide critical, high throughput Ka-band satellite connectivity and VSAT equipment. At the same time, Clear Blue will deploy its smart off-grid solar-powered solutions with remote management and control.
Libby Barr, Chief Operating Officer at Avanti, commented: “Our core belief is that everyone deserves the socioeconomic benefits of a more connected life, and this partnership with Clear Blue will bring life-enhancing coverage to rural communities in remote areas. Together with Clear Blue, we will be able to deploy thousands of sites across Sub-Saharan Africa, connecting a population that is growing at 2.7% per year. We expect the remote telecom market to continue to take off and we are looking forward to being at the forefront of the rural network coverage expansion.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Avanti Communications
Avanti Communications is the leading Ka-band high throughput satellite capacity partner to the communications industry in EMEA – extending and guaranteeing coverage for defence missions, enterprise solutions and critical public services.
Through the HYLAS satellite fleet and partners in 118 countries, Avanti provides dedicated fixed and flexible-beam satellite connectivity, with extensive coverage across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group has invested $1.2bn in a network that incorporates orbital slots in Ka-band spectrum, satellites, ground stations, data centres and a fibre ring. www.avantiplc.com
About Clear Blue Technologies International
Clear Blue Technologies International, the Smart Off-Grid™ company, was founded on a vision of delivering clean, managed, “wireless power” to meet the global need for reliable, low-cost, solar and hybrid power for lighting, telecom, security, Internet of Things devices, and other mission-critical systems. Today, Clear Blue has thousands of systems under management across 37 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. (TSXV: CBLU) (FRA: 0YA) (OTCQB: CBUTF)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Avanti Communications
Media contact:
Alex Rowe
THREESIXTY Communications
22-23 Little Portland St, London W1W 8BU
avanti@threesixtycomms.com
+44 7732 975 895
Clear Blue
Media contact:
Rebecca Bender
Montieth & Company
155 E 44th St., New York, NY 10017
rbender@montiethco.com
+1 347 768 1818
Investor relations:
Miriam Tuerk
Co-Founder and CEO
+1 416 433 3952
investors@clearbluetechnologies.com
www.clearbluetechnologies.com/en/investors
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94d17461-3db2-4346-94a2-80b744f5ef16
