French telco Orange and Vodacom, the South African subsidiary of Vodafone, have partnered to bring solar-powered mobile connectivity to rural regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The joint venture will involve the construction, ownership, and operation of solar-powered mobile base stations with the aim of extending network coverage to underserved communities and “bridging the digital divide”.
The initiative is expected to enable access to telecommunications and mobile financial services for up to 19 million people. Mobile internet penetration is at 32.3% in the DRC.
The telcps aim to do this by constructing 2,000 base stations over six years, using 2G and 4G technologies, subject to the approval of administrative, regulatory, and competition authorities.
“With a footprint serving over 210 million customers across Africa, we have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the continent’s socioeconomic development by building a digital society and fostering inclusivity for all,” says Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom group.
“Collaborating with Vodacom by sharing both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to fulfilling our commitment to accelerating connectivity access for everyone, including rural areas, while minimising our environmental footprint.” added Orange Middle East and Africa CEO, Jérôme Hénique.