Herotel is preparing to launch a new satellite internet service called evry, powered by Amazon Leo, with commercial availability expected in South Africa in 2027.
The agreement positions Herotel as an authorised distributor of Amazon Leo services for residential customers. The new offering is intended to provide fast, reliable internet to homes and small businesses in areas where fibre and fixed wireless infrastructure are unavailable or impractical.
Connecting Communities Beyond Fibre Networks
Many South Africans living on farms, in rural communities, small towns, townships, and remote areas still face limited internet options. Distance, difficult terrain, infrastructure costs, and low population density can make conventional network expansion challenging.
evry aims to address this gap by using Amazon Leo’s low-earth orbit satellite network to connect customers beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial infrastructure.
“evry represents the next chapter in what Herotel has been building for more than a decade,” says Van Zyl Botha, CEO of Herotel.
“We have always believed that South Africans outside the major metros deserve reliable, affordable internet. With evry, powered by Amazon Leo, we will reach customers that even fibre and fixed wireless cannot serve.”
How Amazon Leo Works
Amazon Leo satellites operate closer to earth than traditional geostationary satellites, helping to reduce latency and improve everyday online experiences.
The service is expected to support activities such as video calls, streaming, remote work, online learning, cloud-based business tools, and smart farming technologies.
Customers will connect through compact Amazon Leo antennas, including Amazon Leo Pro and Amazon Leo Nano equipment, which will be available through evry.
National Reach With Local Support
Herotel plans to support evry through its established South African operating network. The company has installation teams, customer service resources, field operations, and approximately 120 offices nationwide.
This local structure will allow customers to receive practical, on-the-ground assistance rather than relying entirely on remote support.
Herotel currently serves more than 350,000 active customers across over 550 towns, cities, and suburbs through fibre and fixed wireless networks.
Estiaan Ferreira, Chief Commercial Officer of Herotel, says the service will offer a practical connectivity option for farms, game reserves, rural homes, and underserved communities.
Amazon also believes the partnership can help expand access to work, education, business opportunities, and essential digital services.
Expected to Launch in 2027
The commercial launch of evry is expected in 2027. Details about packages, pricing, connection speeds, equipment, and installation will be announced closer to the launch date.
Customers can register their interest at www.evry.co.za to receive updates about the service.
By combining Amazon Leo’s satellite technology with Herotel’s local experience and national support network, evry could provide a valuable new internet option for South Africans who remain beyond the reach of fibre and fixed wireless coverage.
Recharged is an independent site that focuses on technology, electric vehicles, and the digital life by Nafisa Akabor. Drawing from her 19-year tech journalism career, expect news, reviews, how-tos, comparisons, and practical uses of tech that are easy to digest. Nafisa is a traveller at heart, having been to 46 countries and counting. Find her edutainment videos covering tech, EVs and travel on TikTok.
