Satellite operator SES and network builder Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have announced a milestone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expanding mobile connectivity to 27% of the country’s population and bringing coverage to an additional 1.3 million people.
The partners said they have now deployed 1,100 base stations nationwide. In one recent push, 292 new mobile base stations were rolled out in just three days using satellite capacity provided by SES, extending connectivity to more than 5.8 million people.
AMN CEO Michael Darcy said many of the sites were built in challenging and remote terrain, reflecting the company’s focus on connecting underserved communities across the DRC.
The base stations are fully solar powered and rely on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology to transmit voice and data traffic via satellite before linking into the core network. This architecture allows connectivity in areas lacking reliable power grids, fibre infrastructure or road access.
AMN’s proprietary Radio Node technology is installed at each site, enabling multiple operators to share the same infrastructure. The units support 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G connectivity, providing a future-proof platform for rural expansion.
Jean-Philippe Gillet, President of Fixed Data at SES, said connecting to the company’s multi-orbit satellite network - spanning GEO, MEO and LEO constellations - enables data services to reach even the most isolated communities.
“It is encouraging and inspiring to see how digital transformation has reshaped daily life across the DRC,” he said.
The impact on local communities has been tangible. A resident of Bompensole, a village connected in November 2025, described how residents previously had to travel 30 kilometres across difficult terrain to access medical help, make phone calls or complete basic banking transactions.
“Today, thanks to AMN, this has been replaced with a clear connection, giving our community reliable connectivity and the ability to manage our finances from the palm of our hand,” the resident said.
The rollout underscores the growing role of satellite-backed infrastructure in extending mobile coverage to hard-to-reach regions across Africa. According to the GSMA, around 3 billion people are still unconnected to the internet.
