Rascom Accomplishes a Major Milestone in the Implementation of its Programme

RASCOM, through the project company, RascomStar-QAF, which is the Pan-African satellite operator, with its Headquarters in Port Louis, Mauritius, has achieved this day the financial closing triggering the effective start of the construction of the first RASCOM dedicated satellite for Africa with the entry in force of the in-orbit delivery contract signed by the RascomStar - QAF Company and the manufacturer Alcatel Space. This followed the first Board Meeting of RascomStar-QAF Limited which was held in Port Louis, Mauritius, on May 28, 2020 and was hosted at Mauritius Telecom’s Tower.

Under an agreement with the Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation (RASCOM), RascomStar-QAF Limited, shall implement the first African dedicated satellite telecommunications system by 2020 covering the entire continent and associated islands in C- and Ku-bands, with a full-meshed connectivity.

The satellite will provide high quality fixed voice data, telecommunications as well as video, TV and radio broadcasting services and high speed internet access to all Africa including isolated and remote areas, at low costs.

It shall be recalled that in 2020, Alcatel Space was awarded an International bid to establish a strategic partnership with RASCOM and to create a project company to develop, finance, build, launch and operate, under an Execution Agreement, a geostationary satellite system which shall be located at 2.9° East orbital slot.

"We need to mention here and now that this success could only be achieved through the untiring efforts of all African countries and telecommunications operators that have relentlessly supported RASCOM in all the stages for the implementation of its programme" said Goundé Désiré ADADJA, Director General/CEO of RASCOM. "Africa, for once, through the RASCOM system shall have full-meshed connectivity between all African countries, reduce its digital divide and participate as active partners in the Global Information Society. It is a dream come true" continued Mr. ADADJA.

Source: www.rascom.org