Amazon’s low-Earth orbit satellite internet project, Amazon Leo, has signed a partnership agreement with South Africa’s Herotel to expand broadband access to underserved rural areas of the country.
Herotel, one of South Africa’s largest internet service providers, will use Amazon Leo’s satellite technology to launch a new service called “evry.” The service is expected to be commercially launched for residential customers in 2027.
The deal comes as satellite internet providers seek to expand their presence in Africa. SpaceX’s Starlink is also interested in the South African market, but is currently awaiting changes to licensing rules. The proposed reforms could allow foreign satellite operators to meet local ownership and economic inclusion requirements through alternative equity mechanisms.
Amazon, Leo, and Herotel say their partnership will help address long-standing internet connectivity challenges in South Africa. Millions of people in the country, especially on farms, in small towns, and in rural communities, are still deprived of reliable internet access because building fiber-optic and fixed wireless networks in such areas is often not economically viable.
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
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