SES And SOLARKIOSK Sign Agreement To Bring Internet To Underserved Villages Worldwide
New partnership will focus on providing Internet access to thousands of users via solar-powered kiosks anytime, anywhere
LUXEMBOURG AND BERLIN, December 15, 2015 - SES Techcom Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of world-leading satellite operator SES, and SOLARKIOSK AG, the energy and business gateway provider to underserved communities worldwide, today announced that they have entered into a two-year partnership to deliver high-quality connectivity to communities worldwide.
Under the agreement, SOLARKIOSK will use satellite connectivity to provide Internet access to underserved areas, initially in Africa. This will be done via SOLARKIOSK’s E-HUBB structures – designed by the Berlin-based architecture firm Graft – which use solar technology to provide electricity to all systems, including the satellite dish, to enable a wide range of connectivity services to the local community.
The partnership between SES Techcom Services and SOLARKIOSK is the first of many steps to deliver off-grid, connected solar infrastructure solutions for communities worldwide, targeting individual users, businesses, schools, medical centres and farms. It enables SES and SOLARKIOSK to provide fast Internet access in regions that are sorely missing reliable connectivity options.
“In remote and isolated communities, basic services like education and healthcare can be hindered by what we call the Digital Divide,” said Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director of SES Techcom Services. “Our partnership with SOLARKIOSK aims to overcome those limitations by providing high-quality connectivity services. SOLARKIOSK has a wide network of E-HUBB structures and we are proud to play such a vital role in the future success of the programme.”
SOLARKIOSK CEO Andreas Spiess added: “Enabling reliable energy access in underserved regions is our core mission at SOLARKIOSK. Energy access is conditional to connectivity. All SOLARKIOSK E-HUBBs are powered by solar energy and are therefore able to bring satellite TV, Internet access and modern communication tools to our customers and partners in the respective communities where we currently operate. Through our partnership with SES, we can create a significant and positive impact on Base-of-the-Pyramid communities in Africa and around the world.”
