SES Expands Humanitarian Reach with O3b mPOWER Satellite Deployment in Chad

Event summary

  • SES is deploying its O3b mPOWER satellite network to provide high-speed internet at the Farchana refugee settlement in Chad, marking the first use of MEO satellites in the emergency.lu program.
  • The initiative, part of the Connectivity for Refugees program, aims to support education, healthcare, and communications for refugees and humanitarian teams.
  • The deployment was executed by Luxembourg Ministry personnel following training at SES’ headquarters, designed for long-term use and flexible expansion.
  • This is the first application of O3b mPOWER satellites beyond emergency restoration, focusing on sustained connectivity for displaced communities.

The big picture

SES’s deployment of O3b mPOWER satellites in Chad represents a strategic pivot from short-term emergency response to long-term connectivity solutions for displaced populations. This aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable humanitarian technology and underscores the growing role of private-sector partnerships in global crisis management. The initiative also highlights the increasing importance of MEO satellites in delivering reliable, high-speed internet to underserved regions.

What we're watching

Strategic Expansion
How SES’s shift from GEO to MEO satellites will impact its humanitarian and commercial connectivity offerings.
Partnership Dynamics
Whether the collaboration with emergency.lu and the UN Refugee Agency can be replicated in other regions.
Long-Term Viability
The pace at which SES can scale this model to support other displaced communities globally.

Related topics

Telecommunications