In a pivotal push towards bridging Africa’s digital divide, Paratus, Africa’s preeminent telecommunications and network services provider, has officially introduced EduLINK—a new satellite-based internet service aimed squarely at improving connectivity in remote and underserved schools across the continent. Branded under Paratus’s “Empowering Education, Anywhere” initiative, EduLINK leverages cutting-edge Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to deliver ultra-fast and reliable broadband to schools with weak or nonexistent infrastructure.
“Paratus launches EduLINK to enhance internet connectivity in schools” not only represents a technological leap but also aligns with the company’s broader social mission: enabling equitable access to high-quality digital education for students in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zambia.
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A New Horizon for Digital Education
Part of Paratus’s robust social investment portfolio, EduLINK offers better bandwidth, prioritised educational data, and a buffer to support robust learning experiences—even in challenging environments. Each school benefiting from this service receives up to 2 TB of priority monthly data, ensuring that crucial online classrooms and learning platforms function smoothly without throttling.
Barney Harmse, Paratus Group’s Executive Chairman, described the launch:
“Paratus EduLINK is not just about connectivity, it’s about creating equal access to education,” he said, emphasizing how remote students deserve the same educational opportunities as their urban peers.
By focusing solely on officially recognised educational institutions, Paratus ensures that the benefits are well-aligned with local educational systems and policy frameworks.
From Satellite to Classroom: The EduLINK Experience
The EduLINK rollout addresses several persistent challenges faced by schools:
- Avoiding disruptive data caps — The 2 TB allocation precludes schools from frequent dropouts or connection slowdowns.
- Selective support — Real-time connectivity sustains interactive video lectures, AI-driven learning, cloud-based tools, and digital libraries.
- Regional prioritisation — By targeting underserved schools, EduLINK helps bridge urban–rural digital imbalances.
Operating via Starlink’s LEO satellites ensures smoother connectivity, lower latency, and greater reliability over traditional geostationary systems, transformative for schools that have long been excluded from digital opportunities.
EduLINK Complements Eduvision’s Legacy
This comprehensive effort builds upon the success and popularity of Eduvision, Paratus’s satellite-supported education network in Namibia. Over the past six years, Eduvision has equipped more than 12,000 learners and 471 teachers across rural Namibian schools with high-speed internet and interactive teaching tools.
Technical support teams from Paratus maintain VSAT and microwave installations, delivering prompt troubleshooting in remote areas—an essential component for consistent service. They also supply essential humanitarian support such as food and clothing to vulnerable students and educators, strengthening community loyalty and trust.
EduLINK leverages this successful blueprint, now scaled across multiple nations and benefiting from high-performance LEO satellite architecture.
An Expanding Pan-African Impact
EduLINK is part of Paratus’s multi-country rollout:
- Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia: Schools with official education recognition are eligible for up to 2 TB priority monthly data via EduLINK.
The Empowering Education, Anywhere campaign includes community engagement and training programs for educators, ensuring schools maximise digital adoption while also contributing local support where needed.
Although the launch announcement provides little immediate detail on which exact schools are first to benefit or the technical procedures for roll-out, it signifies a major continental step forward. Looking back, Namibia’s Eduvision pilot offers a strong roadmap for successful deployment, one which Paratus is expected to replicate in its EduLINK expansion.
A Strategic Answer to Africa’s Education Challenges
The rollout addresses multiple persistent issues in African education:
- Connectivity Access: Remote schools often lack stable internet; EduLINK changes that dynamic overnight.
- Curriculum Modernisation: Enables the usage of digital curricula, educational apps, and interactive tools.
- Teacher Empowerment: Reliable connectivity enables real-time training, peer collaboration, and enhanced educational delivery.
- Student Opportunity: Students gain access to global resources—online libraries, university-level lectures, and AI-powered tutors.
- Digital Literacy: Daily usage educates students in applying technology effectively and responsibly.
By targeting schools, EduLINK ensures that investments reach communal hubs—teachers, learners, and administrators—maximising educational ripple effects.
Complementary Initiatives Across Africa
EduLINK is only one piece of Paratus’s diverse engagement in education and community support:
- In Angola, its subsidiary Internet Technologies Angola (ITA) supports digital classrooms through fundraising initiatives like Golf Solidario and has established multiple computer labs for over 1,500 high school students.
- Zambia’s Capture-the-Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition, sponsored by Paratus Zambia, features student scholarships, internships, and continues through planned activities like the ABSA Cyberthon in November 2025.
- Mozambique benefited from a Starlink-powered connection to Santa Maria on the Machangulo Peninsula, bridging 1,466 students, 30 teachers, local businesses, and healthcare centres in a remote village.
These initiatives collectively indicate Paratus’s commitment to improving education, cybersecurity awareness, and community upliftment across nations.
What’s Next for EduLINK
While the EduLINK rollout is underway, several questions remain:
- Coverage Scope: Specific regions and school names per country are to be revealed.
- Deployment Timeline: Phases of installation and network setup remain to be documented.
- Partnerships: Coordination with Ministries of Education or international development agencies might deepen impact.
- KPIs & Funding: Success metrics, budget allocation, and sources of project funding are yet to be fully disclosed.
These future disclosures promise to shape EduLINK’s narrative as it unfolds across the continent.
Expert Insights & Community Voices
Education and tech specialists recognise EduLINK’s potential:
- Connectivity experts note that LEO satellites mitigate latency issues and can support real-time classroom tools.
- Educators stress the importance of teacher training, highlighting that connectivity alone isn’t enough.
- Students and families in rural areas often describe early internet access as transformational—a key enabler of aspirations and opportunity.
Feedback mechanisms are essential to track challenges—like equipment maintenance, power issues, or navigating local regulations—and will inform iterative improvements.
Paratus’s Vision for an Inclusive Digital Future
Since its inception, Paratus Group has been strategically building a pan-African digital backbone through fibre optics (East–West Africa link) and satellite networks, aimed at enhancing both business and community connectivity.
EduLINK represents a significant ratcheting-up of this mission, combining commercial infrastructure expertise with philanthropic impact. The phrase “Paratus launches EduLINK to enhance internet connectivity in schools” captures both the technological advancement and the strategic, human-centred vision behind the initiative.
By delivering educational internet directly to schools, Paratus supports Africa’s youth in accessing quality learning, contributing to a digitally literate generation equipped for the workforce of tomorrow.
Final Take
The EduLINK rollout is more than a company milestone—it is a continent-wide declaration. With high-speed connectivity now reaching classrooms from remote Namibian villages to schools in Zambia and Mozambique, Paratus is delivering on its mission: empowering students, equipping teachers, and bridging the digital divide.
As this ambitious expansion continues, monitoring rollout timelines, educational outcomes, and infrastructure sustainability will be key. For now, though, Paratus launches EduLINK to enhance internet connectivity in schools, stands as a promising beacon of Africa’s digital education revolution.
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