Ostatech Inks Partnership With IEC Telecom To Bring Internet Satellite Connectivity To Kenya

Ostatech Limited, a Kenyan information and technology company has formed a partnership with IEC Telecom Group, an international satellite telecommunications provider. The partnership is aimed at improving internet spread in Kenya with satellite connectivity. The partnership will also bring about digital transformation opportunities in Africa and potential collaborations between the government and the business community.

As more countries in Africa are emerging as digital economies, the continent is poised to become the next great manufacturing centre of the world. While high labour intensity, higher productivity, lower costs, and exportability are attracting industries such as agriculture, information technology, tourism, and renewable energy to Africa, it has become even more apparent just how critical communication infrastructure is to optimise these industrial processes.

Speaking after cementing the partnership in a reception dinner at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Ostatech Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oscar Mwai, talked of the crucial need for connectivity when it comes to efficient, affordable, and safe business processes.

“Digitalisation can empower business owners with substantially reduced infrastructure investments and state-of-the-art hybrid technologies. It is almost a virtuous circle to see innovations in technology creating opportunities for increased entrepreneurship, and increased incentives for doing business in Kenya creating the demand for more connectivity,” Mwai noted.

“Besides optimising e-Government services and offering reliable back-up for the GSM network, this partnership aims to provide a wide portfolio of Satcom solutions that ensure continuity of operations for election infrastructure as well as portability to support military missions. Our specialised teams offer customisation, technical support, and 24/7 consultancy to empower government services across the whole spectrum of operations they handle on a day-to-day basis,” he added.

56 per cent of Kenya’s population is young, lending itself to tech-savvy opportunities in e-learning, remote work, and e-health services. Such partnerships are aimed at making it easy for the young generation to get easy access to the internet as well as widen the connectivity of the country’s connectivity bandwidth.

“Satellite connectivity enables educators to teach via videoconferencing and offers children in isolated communities access to learning materials. It allows remote offices or workers even in areas with no GSM coverage with the ability to access employment opportunities as well as the flexibility of continuing operations no matter where they’re located. And, satellite connectivity also allows field missions, mobile telemedicine hubs, real-time consultations, and accurate healthcare records to be available in communities that may be otherwise unreachable,” shared Alaa Alsadi, Business Development Director – Middle East & Africa, IEC Telecom Group.

In an unpredictable and ever-evolving global business environment, digitalisation ensures a more sustainable, efficient, and affordable option for the continuity of operations. With Kenya’s expected 5 per cent economic growth annually, digital technologies are sure to empower the entrepreneurial spirit of Africa.