Vodacom launches satellite broadband for enterprises

Vodacom Lesotho has launched its Enterprise Satellite Connectivity solution, a fully managed satellite broadband service powered by Starlink Low Earth Orbit Technology.

The new product’s purpose is to ensure reliable connectivity for enterprises, public institutions and organisations operating in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult, costly or slow to deploy.

The solution expands Vodacom Lesotho’s enterprise connectivity portfolio by giving customers an additional route to dependable primary connectivity, resilient backup connectivity and an unbreakable Internet model that combines satellite and terrestrial links to support business continuity in demanding operating environments.

Speaking at the launch in Maseru this week, Executive Head of Department at Vodacom Business, Lisemelo Ramafikeng, said the solution strengthens the resilience and choice available to enterprise customers.

“For enterprises and public institutions, connectivity has become a strategic requirement for continuity, service delivery and sustainable growth,” she noted.

She explained that the service gives their customers a managed, dependable and performance-backed connectivity model that enables them to operate with confidence, even in complex or remote environments.

Vodacom Lesotho Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralebitso, said the launch reflects the company’s commitment to expanding access and strengthening national digital resilience.

“Lesotho’s geography requires connectivity models that are practical, resilient and capable of reaching people and organisations wherever they live, work and deliver services,” Ralebitso said.

He indicated that by complementing their terrestrial network with satellite capability, they are strengthening the reliability of Vodacom’s connectivity proposition and supporting critical sectors whose operations depend on uninterrupted communication, from agriculture and health to financial services, construction and tourism.

Executive Head of Department: Non-Terrestrial Networks at Vodacom Group, Navindran Naidoo, said Low Earth Orbit satellite technology is becoming an important layer in enterprise connectivity resilience.

He stated that low Earth Orbit capability brings improved latency, higher throughput and a stronger continuity layer for organisations operating in complex environments.

“Through our work with Starlink, we’re combining advanced satellite technology with Vodacom’s local support, installation expertise and managed-service capability to help organisations maintain continuity through disruption, whether caused by power instability, infrastructure damage or remote operating conditions,” Naidoo added.

The launch also featured a panel discussion on the role of resilient connectivity in sustaining business continuity, customer convenience and uninterrupted digital operations.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Nthati Moorosi, said the launch was significant for Lesotho’s digital transformation agenda.

“This milestone speaks to the national capability we are building, the competitiveness we must continue to advance and the inclusive digital future to which Lesotho is committed,” she said.

The minister added that the Vodacom Lesotho Satellite Broadband Solution for Enterprises should be understood as more than a commercial milestone.

Satellite broadband is particularly relevant in Lesotho, where mountainous terrain can make fibre, microwave links and towers complex and costly to deploy in some areas, she pointed out.

By complementing existing communications infrastructure, the solution gives enterprises, public institutions and communities another reliable connectivity pathway, supporting business continuity, branch connectivity, cloud services, digital payments, remote monitoring, video collaboration, e-government platforms, education, health systems, emergency co-ordination, public safety, social protection payments and communication with citizens in historically hard-to-reach areas.