Kigali: TECHz – News Desk
The World Teleport Association (WTA) announced that the Rwanda Space Agency has achieved Tier 3 certification of its Rwanda Teleport under WTA’s Teleport Certification Program.
Rwanda’s Teleport certification marks the 75th issued since the program was launched at IBC 2015, and another 8 teleports are currently engaged in the quality evaluation process. The program provides transparent, independently verified standards as a means for teleports to differentiate themselves and for customers to choose the price-performance level suitable for their applications.
To achieve full certification under WTA’s program, an auditor is dispatched to visit the teleport, provide independent validation of the data submitted in the questionnaire, and identify additional factors that may positively or negatively affect the score. Full certification is issued at a Tier number from 1 through 4, of which 4 represents the highest degree of excellence, and remains in effect for 3 years.
Certifications have been issued to teleports operated by IABG Teleport, A1 Telekom Austria Group, Hispasat, Gomedia Satcom, Azercosmos, Speedcast, UltiSat, Servicio Satelital, USEI, Space 42 (Yahsat), iKO Media Group (STN), Eutelsat, du, COMSAT, Nilesat, e&, Horizon Teleports, Telespazio, Vivacom, Cyta, PlanetCast, Globecast, KT sat, Singtel, Hellas Sat, Orange, Calian Pacific Teleports (Hawaii Pacific Teleport), Globecast, SMS, Telstra, Primacom, Santander Teleport and Arqiva.
Mr. Gaspard Twagirayezu, CEO, Rwanda Space Agency: “This achievement reflects Rwanda’s long-term vision to develop a competitive and future-oriented space sector. The certification of our Teleport reinforces confidence in Rwanda’s technical capabilities and highlights the country’s role in advancing regional space infrastructure and satellite communications services.”
Randall Barney, Executive Director, World Teleport Association: “The Rwanda’s Teleport reaching Full Tier 3 Certification is a landmark achievement for both the region and the global teleport industry. As the only fully certified teleport in Sub-Saharan Africa and the first space agency-operated facility to achieve WTA certification, Rwanda’s Teleport demonstrates the growing technical sophistication and operational excellence emerging across Africa’s space and satellite communications sector. This certification reflects the country’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure capable of supporting the next generation of connectivity and space services.”
WTA’s Teleport Certification Program serves both teleport operators and their customers by creating an objective, transparent, and internationally accepted method for teleport operators to document the quality of their operations for customers and strategic partners. It also provides a means for customers to select teleport vendors delivering the price-performance level that is appropriate for their applications.
