LUXEMBOURG/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.”
For further information please contact:
Markus Payer
Corporate Communications
Tel: +352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
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About SOLARKIOSK
SOLARKIOSK enables and empowers the sustainable economic, social, and environmental development of Base-of-the-Pyramid (BoP) communities worldwide through the provision of clean energy services, quality products and sustainable solutions. Intertwining the award-winning SOLARKIOSK E-HUBB technology with an inclusive business model, SOLARKIOSK fosters local entrepreneurship at the BoP.
The E-HUBB was designed by the internationally renowned GRAFT architects who co-founded the company SOLARKIOSK AG together with CEO Andreas Spiess. It is a modular, robust, secure and lightweight unit that is expandable and easily transportable even to remote areas. The E-HUBB is tailored for the 1.5 billion people worldwide who don´t have reliable access to energy, including 60 million refugees and IDPs. By the end of 2015, more than 100 E-HUBBs are operating in 10 countries.
SOLARKIOSK AG is based in Berlin, Germany. The company has established six affiliate companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and has implemented projects on three continents.
For more information, visit solarkiosk.eu
About SES
SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements. SES holds a participation in O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fibre.
Further information available at: www.ses.com.
About SES Techcom Services:
SES Techcom Services is a 100% owned affiliate of SES, the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of over 50 geostationary satellites, providing integrated end-to-end satellite solutions and operational services tailored to customers’ needs worldwide. Services offered by SES Techcom Services, which is ISO 9001 certified, include the design and delivery of ground infrastructure and operational services, VSAT networks, broadband connectivity and turnkey teleport solutions. It also develops innovative solutions for e-government, e-health and e-education, as well as applications for worldwide emergency satellite communications.
Further information available at: www.ses.com/techcom