BHARTI Airtel International has announced strategic partnership with Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a leading Mobile Satellite Services operator to provide Airtel customers across 17 countries in Africa, with mobile satellite products and services.

The partnership will provide Airtel Africa customers voice and broadband connectivity via Thuraya’s satellite network across the continent’s most remote areas.

The partnership, said to take effect from May would see, Airtel Africa sell Thuraya’s products and airtime packages at their retail outlets and through their Enterprise account team.

Extending mobile networks into remote or rural areas presents both geographical obstacles and business challenges for connecting people in Africa. Thuraya’s satellite network helps bridge the digital divide by providing an immediate and cost-effective way for Airtel Africato extend its coverage, while generating new revenue streams and providing vital connectivity.

Thuraya’s mobile satellite service is said to have the capability of addressing the diverse voice and data communication needs of Airtel Africaenterprise users across the mining, energy, media, government and humanitarian NGO sectors.

Announcing the partnership, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa said, “Providing reliable connectivity in many remote parts of Africa can be challenging. This partnership enables us to further extend our coverage and services for businesses and general consumers who live or work in very remote areas. Thuraya’s satellite services will be combined with the reliable, high-quality voice calls and broadband access that our customers are accustomed to experiencing in our urban centers.”

Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya Samer Halawi, said, “Thuraya’s partnership with Airtel Africa a very positive development in bridging the digital divide in Africa. We recognize the massive impact that access to reliable communications can have on the lives of ordinary people.