Vodafone to Use Amazon Leo Satellites for 1 Gbps Backhaul in Europe and Africa
Vodafone will deploy Amazon’s Leo satellite backhaul in 2026 to support 4G/5G base stations in remote Germany, Europe and Africa, delivering up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload speeds. The initiative reduces fiber deployment costs and boosts network resilience for rural and emergency connectivity.
1. Partnership Overview
Vodafone has partnered with Amazon’s Leo satellite broadband network to provide backhaul for 4G and 5G mobile base stations in remote regions, leveraging low Earth orbit satellites to connect mobile masts where fiber is impractical.
2. Technical Specifications
The service promises download speeds up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds up to 400 Mbps, supported by Amazon Leo’s constellation of over 200 satellites with hundreds more planned for deployment.
3. Rollout Timeline and Geography
Deployment begins in 2026 with initial installations in Germany and select European markets, followed by an expansion across Vodacom-operated regions in Africa to enhance rural coverage.
4. Strategic Implications
By replacing expensive fiber-optic and fixed wireless links, the initiative should lower infrastructure costs, improve network resilience for emergency services, and support Vodacom’s Vision 2030 goal of reaching 260 million customers in Africa.