Vodafone, a multinational telecommunications company operating across Africa, particularly in 8 African countries through Vodacom, has signed an agreement with Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network (Amazon LEO) to expand mobile coverage across Europe and Africa. The partnership aims to connect significantly more 4G and 5G mobile sites in remote areas, thereby improving connectivity for customers with limited access across both continents.
Through Amazon LEO, Vodafone will be able to deploy 4G and 5G base stations more easily and affordably in previously unserved areas, without the time and expense associated with installing extensive fibre-based or fixed wireless backhaul links to the core network. This is particularly relevant for rural and hard-to-reach regions. Vodafone will also use the service to strengthen network resilience for emergency and critical online services in situations where fibre links connecting mobile masts are disrupted or damaged, including by flooding. Built on a constellation of thousands of satellites, Amazon LEO enables telecommunications providers to rapidly expand and enhance network infrastructure through satellite-based connectivity, offering high-speed cell site backhaul of up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload.
Under the agreement, the service will subsequently be progressively rolled out across Africa through Vodacom. The first mobile sites are expected to be connected in 2026, with further expansion planned as Amazon LEO continues to build out its satellite constellation.
The progressive deployment across Africa through Vodacom is expected to significantly accelerate connectivity expansion across the continent’s most underserved regions.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/03/03/vodafone-and-amazon-leo-partner-to-expand-mobile-coverage-across-africa-and-europe/