Satellite Internet in Malawi

Satellite Internet Access Service

Malawi is a landlocked country situated in south east Africa and bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. With a population of over 18 million, Malawi is home to dramatic and breath-taking scenery. The terrain is varied, from highlands and lakes to central plateaux, forests and valleys and this attracts tourists from all over the world. The Malawian economy is very dependent upon agriculture and the majority of people are engaged in subsistence farming. One third of Malawi’s GDP and 90% of its export revenues come from agriculture. The main products grown are tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn and potatoes and livestock includes cattle and goats.

Opportunities for ISPs

A large proportion of the population of Malawi (around 85%) live in rural areas so, already, linking the country up to a telecoms infrastructure is a real challenge. With the varied terrain, it is difficult for service providers to reach the vast majority of the population. It becomes either cost prohibitive or simply too difficult to roll out connectivity to where it is needed. More investment is required in order to carry out upgrades to existing infrastructure so that more people can enjoy access to phone and Internet services.

Malawi does have a fairly competitive Internet sector, with a number of ISPs in operation. However, the government-imposed tax on Internet services has meant that prices for the consumer have increased. 3G services have been launched in the country, and there has been some investment put into LTE infrastructure but mobile penetration needs to grow and prices need to fall. Access to submarine cables is available but the infrastructure to deliver this is still in development. This is a market that holds enormous potential for those who are prepared to invest. Internet penetration is currently at 9.6%.

For those that can access mobile networks, mobile money is taking off, providing financial services such as bank accounts and small loans. Expansion of the mobile network would help to push access into rural areas via easy to deploy, cost effective terminals that require no prior infrastructure. Satellite-based cellular backhaul provided via VSAT can provide the idea solution for MNOs that are looking to tap into the vast potential Malawian rural subscriber base. BusinessCom networks has extensive knowledge and experience in the deployment of cellular backhaul services for remote areas. It’s not just mobile money that will benefit the rural Malawians. A range of services and information are available on mobile broadband such as healthcare, education and governmental services that can enhance lives across the country.

VSAT Solutions for Malawi

Provision of Internet services to rural communities can increase knowledge and drive wealth, making for enriched communities that can do much more for themselves than subsist. An Internet connection throws open the doors to the global marketplace where they can trade and develop small businesses, making money off their land. BusinessCom Network’s tailored solutions are created with the end user in mind, helping them to make the very best of their network so that it serves their purposes perfectly.

Though Malawi is a very varied country, with a largely rural population, this does not mean that they cannot gain access to basic communications services. Through the use of VSAT-based solutions, communities, businesses, government and other critical services such as healthcare and education can grow and develop to serve the Malawian people.