Integral to this is Intelsat’s Flex portfolio, which leverages geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. Vodafone meanwhile is providing connectivity in the form of its Communications-on-the-Move and Communications-on-the-Pause products.
According to a statement, the agreement will enable organisations to “support multiple applications such as tracking valuable cargo, connecting new or temporary sites, providing additional resilience and responding to emergency situations.
“Intelsat’s service will also be used to support Vodafone’s charitable arm, Vodafone Foundation, with its connected health and education initiatives across Europe and Africa. Vodafone Foundation is also on standby to offer help to NGOs, governments and relief agencies in their response to environmental and humanitarian disaster situations.”
CEO of Vodafone Business, Marika Auramo, said: “Vodafone’s agreement with Intelsat adds depth and breadth to our global network. With these new services, we can provide additional connectivity and resilience to customers in some of the hardest to reach places, whether they’re on the move, or need to quickly establish communications following an environmental or humanitarian disaster.”
Jean Philippe Gillet, Intelsat SVP of media, mobility and networks said: “The welfare of communities and their citizens is increasingly linked to the ability to access reliable connectivity services. The goal of our Flex services is to make it easier for our customers to leverage the reach and reliability of Intelsat’s network to deliver connectivity wherever they may operate.”
Vodafone’s is also exploring direct-to-smartphone connectivity, leveraging low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
