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Amazon Leo and Herotel, South Africa’s largest internet service provider, team up to bring satellite internet via a new service called evry, powered by Amazon Leo. It aims to address the connectivity gap for millions of South Africans residing in rural areas and to connect households and small businesses.

HOW AMAZON LEO WORKS

Amazon Leo’s satellites orbit approximately 590 kilometers above Earth, which is far closer than traditional geostationary satellites at more than 35,000 kilometers, providing lower latency for everyday use cases including video calls, streaming, online learning and remote work. Compact antennas connect customers with no need for Fiber and fixed wireless infrastructure at their location.

CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA

Millions of South Africans reside in rural communities, living on farms, in small towns lacking proper, reliable internet owing to barriers such as distance, terrain, and low population density, resulting in impractical and costly traditional infrastructure. Every location will no longer be a barrier to connectivity.

THE CURRENT STATE OF CONNECTIVITY

Currently, Herotel serves over 350,000 active customers across more than 550 towns through fiber and fixed wireless networks, alongside supporting 120 local offices nationwide. The existing infrastructure enables everything from the start, providing installation, customer support, and field operations locally.

SHARED MISSIONS TO EMPOWERED SOUTH AFRICANS

According to Amazon, Amazon Leo and Herotel share the same mission to empower millions of South Africans through high-speed internet access. Herotel has spent years building connectivity across South Africa’s farming towns, small businesses and communities on the outskirts, with which it can now reach even more people.

“This collaboration is about breaking down barriers and unlocking opportunities for millions of people who don’t yet have reliable access to work, education or the services they depend on,” stated David Zapolsky, Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer.

“We have always believed that South Africans outside the major metros deserve reliable, affordable internet, and with every powered by Amazon Leo , we will reach the customers that even fiber and fixed wireless cannot serve. It no longer matters where you live,” said Van Zyl Botha, CEO of Herotel.

COMMITMENT TO SOUTH AFRICA

This announcement expands a commitment to South Africa for Amazon that now spans more than two decades and adds to the growing success of Amazon Leo across Africa. Vanu, Inc., a provider of mobile network equipment, is also partnering with Amazon Leo to bring cell service to rural areas across the continent, starting from South Africa. Together, these projects will help improve connectivity in Southern Africa, where nearly one in four people still lack network service.

According to reports by Access Partnership, non-geostationary satellite systems could generate up to $16.9 billion in economic benefits each year for the region.

PROGRESS REPORT

Amazon Leo has more than 390 satellites deployed, enough to provide initial service this year across certain latitudes, and will continue expanding more widely as coverage and capacity grow.

CHALLENGES THAT CAN BE RESOLVED

• Lack of reliable internet in rural areas
• Difficulties for students to access online learning
• Small businesses struggling with poor connectivity
• An affordable internet instead of an impractical and costly
• Location barriers
• Filling the connectivity gap for farmers and people residing in small towns
• People will be able to use video calls
• Remote workers’ issues will be resolved

CONCLUSION

It is not yet launched; however, it is expected to launch commercially in 2027 to provide internet access and connect households in South Africa. This marks Amazon Leo’s first agreement of its kind in Africa. Under the agreement, Herotel will use Amazon Leo’s technology as part of Herotel’s new service, evry. Everyone is expected to make the internet available even in places where fiber cannot reach. The project is expected to create new opportunities for jobs and education in South Africa.

This collaboration between Herotel and Amazon Leo marks a turning point in the internet infrastructure of South Africa, opening the door to South Africans for better communication. Reliable internet can generate up to $16.9 billion in annual economic benefits, reported by Access Partnership.