With Africa’s population that’s increasingly interconnected through mobile devices and an urgent need to bridge the digital divide, satellite technology plays a key role in expanding connectivity, especially in underserved regions. As the need for reliable, affordable, and scalable connectivity solutions grows, companies like ST Engineering iDirect stand out as key enablers, offering transformative satellite communication solutions.

ST Engineering iDirect is recognized for its innovative satellite solutions that provide reliable, high-performance connectivity across the globe. The company is at the forefront of revolutionizing how the world connects, with a particular focus on enhancing accessibility and affordability in regions that are often difficult to reach.

At AfricaCom 2024 in Cape Town, our Founder and Chief Editor, Akim Benamara, reconnected with Emma Park, Senior Vice President of Growth and Strategy at ST Engineering iDirect. Their conversation centered on exciting updates about the company’s latest innovations, including their cutting-edge satellite solutions, and the significant impact they are having on connectivity across Africa.

ST Engineering iDirect recently launched Intuition, its next-generation ground system for customer testing and adoption planning. Can you explain the key objectives behind this innovation, what customers can expect, and what impact Intuition will potentially have on the telco industry? 

Emma Park: Intuition, our next-generation ground system, represents a bold step forward in advancing connectivity through satellite technology. After its initial brand and market launch at the Satellite Show in Washington this past March, we reached a major milestone with its first release this September. This launch enables customers to begin exploring Intuition’s rich features and capabilities firsthand, equipping them with the tools they need for thorough testing and adoption planning. It’s an exciting phase as we work toward the platform’s general availability release next year, building momentum for what’s to come.

The objectives behind Intuition are clear yet ambitious: to simplify satellite technology adoption and drive efficiency for operators and telcos operating in diverse environments. Customers engaging with Intuition can expect a highly adaptable, future-ready ground system designed to pave the way for smarter connectivity strategies. By investing in this platform, Operators and telcos can test, refine, and implement solutions that align with their unique objectives, all while leveraging the platform’s ability to lower costs and enhance service efficiency. It’s not just about delivering connectivity—it’s about delivering it sustainably, affordably, and at scale.

At AfricaCom, you’re showcasing some exciting innovations. How do solutions like Intuition and others have the potential to unlock Africa’s opportunities and tackle the continent’s unique challenges?

Emma Park: Intuition stands out as a game-changer, we’re streamlining processes, reducing hardware dependencies, and making cutting-edge tech more accessible. This approach holds particular significance in Africa, where diverse infrastructure landscapes and geographic barriers often complicate efforts to improve connectivity. Intuition’s software-focused solutions help overcome these hurdles, creating a more unified, connected environment.

The impact of this can’t be overstated. Improved connectivity lays the foundation for economic growth by enabling businesses, even in the most remote areas, to tap into global markets. It also bridges the digital divide, allowing communities to access essential services like education, healthcare, and financial tools. This, in turn, empowers individuals and strengthens local economies.

Another solution I’m particularly passionate about is SKYflow. It’s an OTT (over-the-top)  ecosystem, which we describe as an end-to-end IP delivery solution for unicast-to-multicast broadcast of content. A great example of its impact is a use case we’ve deployed in Peru. There, SKYflow delivers critical content to schools and households without broadband connectivity, streaming directly to devices like smart TVs, smartphones, or tablets. Post-COVID, this solution was vital in addressing two critical challenges in Peru: ensuring rural populations received vital health information and providing educational content to children unable to attend school.

The same principles apply across Africa, particularly for rural schools and communities that lack reliable internet. While SKYflow mainly pushes content to devices, it can also enable two-way communication when paired with VSAT systems. It’s an innovative and efficient solution that leverages standards like DVB-NIP to bridge connectivity gaps and drive meaningful change.

Could SKYflow help empower rural and semi-rural areas, especially those currently lacking access to content and connectivity?

Emma Park: Absolutely, this is a crucial factor. We have several government projects in the pipeline aimed at addressing this very challenge. These initiatives focus on delivering content to underserved areas. One of the key challenges with content delivery, especially for video or films, is navigating rights and permissions. However, when it comes to local communities and government entities providing educational content, that content is theirs to share. The goal is to ensure this valuable content reaches students, particularly those without internet access, in a cost-effective and efficient way.

Is the public sector beginning to see the potential of technology stacks on the continent to empower rural communities and drive progress in digital skills, education, and health tech?

Emma Park: Indeed. The initial concept behind these solutions was focused on one-way content delivery, primarily broadcast from unicast to multicast. Our system is highly adaptable, allowing for bidirectional communication, which gives us more flexibility to meet different needs. We’re thrilled with the results so far and are collaborating with some excellent partners. We’re in active discussions with various NGOs and government entities, and there’s significant interest in how this can serve local communities.

Regarding other solutions, we also have our multi-carrier gateway for media and broadcast, the MCX8000, which focuses on efficiency and availability. By consolidating multiple carriers into one dense solution, we’re able to significantly improve power efficiency and reduce the need for multiple devices.

With growing demand for managed services in Africa, how is this shaping your approach, and how are your offerings meeting the region’s customer needs?

Emma Park: 

At ST Engineering iDirect, we’ve been closely observing this shift, and it’s shaping the way we approach our offerings to better meet customer needs. Businesses are increasingly seeking solutions that take the operational burden off their shoulders—particularly when it comes to managing complex ground technology like hubs and remotes. They need efficient, reliable services that allow them to focus on what truly matters—bringing connectivity to those who need it most. Customers no longer have to dwell on hardware oversight or operational complexities—they can focus their efforts on delivering vital connectivity to underserved communities.

What’s truly exciting is the energy and enthusiasm we’re seeing in the industry right now. The appetite for innovation is contagious, with more and more businesses adopting managed services to keep pace with this transformation. This approach isn’t just about simplifying processes; it’s about unlocking potential, driving progress, and reshaping the way we think about connectivity. The landscape is definitely evolving, and while the challenges are there, they’re being met with determination and optimism. At ST Engineering iDirect, we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this progress, empowering our customers and contributing to a more connected, inclusive future for Africa.