October 15, 16:39TechCentral

Paratus Zambia installs Starlink in 18 Family Legacy schools to give thousands of children internet access

Paratus Zambia has completed the installation of Starlink equipment in eighteen Family Legacy schools located in Lusaka. This provides over 10,000 vulnerable children with high-speed and reliable internet access.

The implementation process took about two weeks and replaced the previous connection, which was frequently interrupted and suffered from limited infrastructure. Traditional connection methods are often restricted by the distance to cell towers or dependence on fixed infrastructure. By using Starlink, Paratus Zambia has provided all Family Legacy facilities with fast and stable network access using minimal ground equipment and rapid deployment.

The improved connectivity is already being used to support the educational process, administrative tasks, and digital learning in all 18 schools. Teachers and students can now apply online tools more stably; students studying information and communication technologies particularly benefit from access to research platforms and new digital educational resources.

Significance of Reliable Connectivity

Chimuka K Mulenga, Deputy Director of Local Resource Mobilization at Family Legacy, noted that 'reliable connectivity can fundamentally change how our schools function.' He added that this has already increased daily efficiency and provided students with reliable access to opportunities that were previously unavailable. Previously, they faced network issues and the inability to access key information and learning materials online, which he called a 'dream come true' for children and teachers.

Family Legacy, a Christian organization based in the USA, supports over 10,000 children from Zambia through a model that includes education, emotional support, medical care, nutrition, and social development. Furthermore, the organization runs vocational training programs and helps students enter higher education and find employment.

A Critical Factor for Education

Many Family Legacy students continue their studies in specialized fields such as medicine, law, nursing, and business, while others undergo vocational training to gain practical career paths. Neil Nortjie, Country Manager for Paratus Zambia, emphasized that access to connectivity is recognized as a critical element of education in Zambia. He stated that through this partnership, they are helping to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that students from underserved communities are not left behind and can benefit from the most advanced educational tools. Connecting the school expands learning opportunities for students, allowing them to access information and education beyond their country.

Family Legacy chose Paratus Zambia as its connectivity partner due to its experience and support in the country, as well as its ability to rapidly deploy installations across multiple sites. Family Legacy plans to expand its presence and strengthen digital access in its schools, making connectivity an integral part of its long-term educational model for students and teachers.

Paratus Zambia is part of Paratus Group, a pan-African network operator that provides business and home communication services, as well as hosting and cloud services across Zambia. The company has built infrastructure nationwide, including a national microwave and fiber-optic network, supported by international points of presence across Africa and beyond. It also has a certified ISO Tier 3 data center for secure hosting. Paratus Zambia offers unlimited data home internet with enhanced security features, backed by 24/7 technical support. In addition to its service portfolio, Paratus is also a provider of low Earth orbit satellite communication services. Based on a belief in Africa's potential, the company continues to invest in infrastructure and provide communication solutions that stimulate technological development and progress on the continent.

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tecnoblog.netOctober 8, 13:07

Starlink to receive 15 thousand new satellites to compete with telecommunications operators

Starlink has obtained approval from the US regulatory agency to place an additional 15 thousand satellites into Earth orbit. This new satellite configuration will include functionalities previously exclusive to phone operators, such as native calls and access to streaming services, in addition to broadband internet.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the equivalent body to Anatel, granted permission for these new launches last Tuesday, October 6th. These devices signal the beginning of Starlink Mobile, a SpaceX service focused on mobile telephony. In the United States, the company will directly compete with major companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

In Brazil, Starlink recently surpassed TIM in fixed broadband, registering 65 thousand new connections in August alone, according to data released by Anatel.

Elon Musk's satellite provider is now authorized to offer mobile services through its new fleet. According to TechSpot, at least half of these 15 thousand approved satellites should be launched by 2032, although the first shipment is only expected to enter orbit starting in 2027.

The intention is that, with this expansion, connection speeds will match those offered by the country's three main operators, but in a direct-to-device format. This modality promises global coverage, eliminating issues like dead zones, and offering greater stability regardless of location.

Currently, the company provides telephony services in the United States in collaboration with T-Mobile, using 650 satellites located in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Starlink's traditional internet service will also be improved soon. A previous approval, made in January, already anticipated the deployment of second-generation broadband satellites.

With these two lines of work, SpaceX is authorized to launch a total of 30 thousand units across both services, adding to the fleet already operating in Earth orbit. Currently, there are approximately 24.5 thousand satellites, including first-generation models and 13 thousand new devices sent at the beginning of this October.

The large volume of satellites operating in Low Earth Orbit raises concerns among astronomers due to interference with celestial observation, in addition to issues such as increased space debris and object reentry into the atmosphere.

techcentral.co.zaOctober 7, 13:03

Paratus Namibia launches OneWeb LEO satellite communication service from Eutelsat

Paratus Namibia has begun providing the OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication service from Eutelsat in Namibia. This new service is aimed at both private users and the commercial sector across the country. It combines high-speed, low-latency connectivity with competitive pricing and utilizes the Paratus customer management system, which gives users better control and visibility over data usage.

The launch in Namibia is a continuation of the long-standing and established partnership between Paratus and Eutelsat in Africa. Andrew Hall, Managing Director of Paratus Namibia, noted that the company is bringing to Namibia not just another option for satellite communication. He emphasized that Paratus possesses significant experience with LEO across the continent and can now provide this technical expertise and scale to its customers along with favorable packages that ensure greater control over connection management.

Paratus Namibia offers both paid and unlimited packages to provide clients with flexibility, control, and value from their connection. The Paratus Eutelsat OneWeb LEO service provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity across Namibia, expanding reliable coverage in areas where traditional terrestrial services may be limited or unavailable.

Clients also benefit from the resilience and support of the wider Paratus network, as well as increased transparency and control over data usage through the Paratus customer management platform. For businesses, this service can serve as a reliable backup or supplementary communication channel, strengthening network fault tolerance and business continuity without the need to install a second fixed line, which saves money and simplifies the process.

High Speeds and Low Latency

Philippe Bodrie, Vice President of Eutelsat for Africa, added that this launch will allow more customers in Namibia to access connectivity that supports daily life and economic activity. The Eutelsat OneWeb LEO network combines high speed and low latency with the ability to cover areas outside terrestrial coverage and enhance the resilience of existing networks. He also noted that Paratus has already provided these benefits to customers in other African markets and looks forward to shared success in Namibia.

The deployment in Namibia is part of Paratus Group's broader strategy to expand resilient and high-performance connectivity across Africa. This follows a multi-year agreement signed with Eutelsat in November 2025 regarding the expansion of OneWeb LEO services in South Africa. Shalek Erasmus, CEO of Paratus Group, stated that this agreement continues the long-term collaboration between Paratus and Eutelsat. It supports the deployment of LEO connectivity in South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, and complements Paratus Group's existing terrestrial and satellite infrastructure across Africa.

The service uses self-aligning flat satellite terminals with electronic steering and no moving parts. Home packages offer speeds of up to 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, while business packages offer up to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. The Paratus Eutelsat OneWeb service is suitable for residences, businesses, farms, lodges, and tourist attractions, as well as mines, remote offices, and branch networks. Each installation is performed by a certified Paratus specialist, and customers are supported by the Paratus 24/7/365 support service.

Paratus Namibia is part of Paratus Group, a leading pan-African network operator that provides communication services for business and home, hosting, colocation, and cloud services. The company has established itself as a provider of quality network in Africa through various infrastructure projects and strives for continuous development and digital transformation. Paratus offers various internet access technologies, including fiber optics, wireless broadband, SKY-Fi, and VSAT, as well as fixed and mobile LTE. These services provide customers with a stable, reliable, and scalable unlimited network, guaranteeing redundancy, disaster recovery, and route diversity for maximum uptime. Paratus Namibia also has its own terrestrial satellite station, connected to a fiber optic backbone, for distributing VSAT bandwidth across the country. Its robust network is supported by numerous international points of presence in Africa and worldwide, as well as on-site 24/7 technical support in Namibia. Paratus has also built a modern, ISO-certified, Tier-3 data center in Windhoek for secure colocation.