SES and AMN Expand Rural Connectivity across Côte d’Ivoire with Major Network Upgrade
Over 200 upgraded sites now delivering 2G and 3G mobile data services to more than half a million people
Luxembourg, November 11, 2025 – SES and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) today announced the successful upgrade of more than 200 telecom sites across Côte d’Ivoire to deliver reliable 2G and 3G mobile data services, extending affordable connectivity to over 500,000 people in rural and previously underserved areas.
Completed between May and June 2025, this milestone marks another major step in SES’s and AMN’s shared mission to bring affordable, high-quality communications infrastructure to remote communities across Africa.
Since beginning operations in Côte d’Ivoire in 2022 with 60 sites, AMN has continued to expand rapidly. Today, AMN operates over 300 sites, delivering telecommunications services, via SES satellites, to more than 700,000 people. Construction is underway in the next phase of expansion, which will bring the total network to 360 sites by year-end 2025. The company’s first 4G sites are expected to go live in November 2025, further enhancing mobile data access and user experience nationwide.
AMN connects rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa, pioneering sustainable and scalable solutions to reach millions without telecom access. As an OEM for its own Radio Access Network equipment, AMN controls design, performance and cost. Its platform supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and future 5G on a single unit, enabling multiple carriers to operate efficiently without extra cost or power—delivering connectivity at a fraction of traditional deployment costs. The ARN (AMN Radio Node) uses a software-defined radio to allow remote upgrade without necessitating a physical presence on site.
To meet the growing demand for data services in Côte d’Ivoire, SES has expanded satellite capacity for AMN, enabling faster, more reliable connectivity for mobile operators and their customers. As data usage continues to rise, SES will further scale its capacity to support AMN’s ongoing network growth and service enhancements across the country.
Recent research highlights the social and economic impact of this network expansion. In a survey of over 300 users at AMN sites, 99% saw the arrival of the telecom tower as a positive development, particularly for connectivity and local business support:
• 81% use the service for mobile money transactions, enabling secure and efficient transfers.
• 50% reported receiving financial assistance, 76% of which was delivered via mobile money.
• 42% use mobile services for education, while 33% rely on them for healthcare access.
“These upgrades not only bring internet access to remote regions but also empower local businesses, farmers, and families through digital inclusion,” said Michael Darcy, CEO, AMN. “Connectivity is a catalyst for economic growth, by extending reliable voice and data services to rural areas, we are helping communities unlock new opportunities for learning, trade and innovation.”
“As a long-standing partner of AMN, we fully believe in the transformative impact of their work - vital in bringing reliable connectivity to underserved and unserved communities across Africa,” said Jean-Philippe Gillet, president Fixed and Maritime Vertical. "At SES, we remain committed to delivering connectivity everywhere, bridging the digital divide, and enabling access to essential services for communities around the world."
Millions of people in rural sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to basic telecommunications. Expanding reliable voice, messaging, and data services is essential to provide the foundation for digital tools such as mobile money, e-learning, telemedicine, and agricultural market information systems, driving inclusion and sustainable development.
Photo credit: AMN
For further information please contact:
SES- Steven Lott
Communications
Tel. +352 710 725 500
[email protected]
AMN- Jennifer Darcy
Africa Mobile Networks (AMN)
[email protected]
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About SES
At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That’s why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected—no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what’s next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership—backed by a track record of bringing innovation “firsts” to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com
About AMN
Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) builds, owns, operates and maintains mobile network infrastructure, delivering services for the biggest Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Africa. AMN's Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model allows Africa's tier-1 Operators to expand their network coverage deep into rural areas, with no capex investment and no opex risk. AMN uses its own highly advanced radio technology to enable services to be delivered economically and sustainably to smaller communities than has ever been possible before. The vision of AMN is a fully connected Africa, with no community of any significant size being without basic telecommunications services to deliver social, economic, educational and other benefits to the population - achieved through the construction of many tens of thousands of new mobile network base stations. Further information is available at: www.amn.com
