SES, EIB Global, and the EU Commission Launch €60 Million Initiative to Bridge the Digital Divide in Central Asia

SES, EIB Global, and the EU Commission Launch €60 Million Initiative to Bridge the Digital Divide in Central Asia

(IN BRIEF) EIB Global, in collaboration with the European Commission and SES, is launching a major satellite broadband initiative aimed at transforming connectivity in Central Asia. With a combined financial package of a €34.4 million EU grant and a €25.45 million EIB Global loan, the project will deploy satellite terminal antennas linked to SES’s O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit network to bring high-speed internet access to approximately 1,600 underserved villages. This initiative is expected to empower around three million people by bridging the digital divide, thus fostering economic growth and facilitating the region’s transition to a digital economy. It aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway and Team Europe strategies, reinforcing regional connectivity and sustainable infrastructure development. EIB Global Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris emphasized that enhanced connectivity is crucial for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, while European Commissioner Jozef Síkela highlighted the importance of combining European technology with local expertise to create secure and reliable digital networks. SES’s Global Head of Enterprise and Cloud, Nadine Allen, noted that this project, building on previous investments in satellite technology, will ensure scalable, dependable broadband services in remote areas, ultimately transforming lives and boosting sustainable development.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 18-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank’s global arm (EIB Global) and the European Commission have joined forces with SES, a leading provider of satellite-enabled connectivity solutions, to deliver an ambitious project aimed at bringing broadband services to around 1,600 underserved villages across Central Asia. Backed by a combined financial package of nearly €60 million—comprising a €34.4 million EU grant and a €25.45 million EIB Global loan—this initiative will deploy satellite terminal antennas that connect to SES’s O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite network.

This Team Europe initiative is designed to empower roughly three million people in remote rural areas by providing them with fast and reliable internet access, thereby bridging the digital divide that leaves nearly half of Central Asia’s population without connectivity. By harnessing advanced satellite technology, high-speed broadband can be delivered directly to regions that have traditionally been isolated from modern digital infrastructure, spurring economic growth and supporting Central Asia’s broader transition toward a digital economy.

The funds will be used to develop and implement a cutting-edge software solution for air traffic management that adheres to Eurocontrol’s stringent requirements and the Digital European Sky strategy. This will not only enhance digitalization and automation efforts across the region but also strengthen interoperability among control centers located in Belgrade, Podgorica, Tivat, Batajnica, Kraljevo, and Niš. In doing so, the project aims to optimize flight routes, reduce operational costs, and lower CO₂ emissions, all while improving the overall connectivity between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

EIB Global Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris commented, “Connectivity infrastructure is far more than just a means to link people—it is a gateway to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Our initiative under Team Europe exemplifies how digital inclusion and secure, trusted connections can drive human empowerment across borders.” European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela added, “The collaboration between the European Union and our Central Asian partners is a testament to the power of European technology combined with regional expertise. By investing in robust digital connectivity, we are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and improved living conditions across Central Asia.”

This project is fully aligned with the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which promotes investments in secure and sustainable infrastructure to enhance connectivity and improve lives worldwide. In addition, it is a key driver of the Team Europe effort to expand digital connectivity in Central Asia. The planned expansion of SES’s O3b mPOWER network, partly financed by a €125 million EIB loan provided earlier this year, will ensure that high-speed broadband services are reliable, scalable, and capable of meeting the needs of remote communities.

“Securing this combined EU grant and EIB Global loan demonstrates that SES’ financial foundation is solid and trusted by European institutions,” said Nadine Allen, Global Head of Enterprise and Cloud at SES. “Our extensive work on digital inclusion projects has proven that satellite systems can deliver seamless connectivity even in the most remote areas. We are excited to extend the reach of O3b mPOWER into Central Asia, accelerating our mission to provide dependable satellite connectivity that transforms lives.”

About EIB Global

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous orbit fleet and medium earth orbit (GEO-MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high-performance services. Using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG).

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank