Microcom
Microcom is a Congolese broadband ISP founded in 1982 that provides satellite (VSAT), wireless (LTE/WiMAX), and fiber internet connectivity to corporate enterprises, 13 banking institutions, government and parastatal bodies, and individuals across 10 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersKatanga
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Microcom does
Microcom S.A.R.L. is a privately held Congolese (DRC) broadband internet service provider founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kinshasa, with regional headquarters in Lubumbashi and additional branch offices in eight other cities, giving it physical presence across 10 provinces. The company delivers internet access over a multi-technology network that combines VSAT C-Band and Ku-Band satellite connectivity (more than 20 proprietary earth stations and 1,500+ client terminals), LTE and WiMAX wireless broadband (BTS at 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz), and Fiber Optique infrastructure including 40 km of private fiber in Kinshasa. Two owned teleports — Kinshasa linked to the WACS submarine cable and Lubumbashi linked to Seacom — terminate international capacity on Microcom's own assets, supported by partnerships with Intelsat and Eutelsat for satellite capacity.
The company's revenue model is subscription-based, with publicly disclosed monthly tiers of $10 for VSAT, $20 for LTE/WiMAX, and $30 for Fiber Optique, augmented by enterprise add-ons (VPN, Intranet, VoIP, Wi-Fi) and managed services such as GSM backhauling. Target customers are corporates, 13 banking institutions, government and parastatal bodies, and private individuals, with service-level commitments of 99–99.99% availability and installation lead times ranging from 2 hours (LTE) to 74 hours (VSAT). Microcom positions itself as the largest broadband ISP in the DRC, distinguishing on nationwide reach, hybrid (including solar) energy infrastructure that sustains uptime, and direct enterprise sales supported by a fleet of roughly 50 vehicles and motorcycles for rapid field service.
Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, executed through 10 provincial branches and on-the-ground technical teams. The TropicSat sub-brand extends the offering toward lower-priced VSAT for price-sensitive SMB and individual buyers, while the institutional book (banks, government, corporates) anchors the higher-ARPU side of the portfolio. No external funding rounds, acquisitions, or public-market activity are disclosed; ownership is 100% Congolese and the founder serves as Director-General.
Microcom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Microcom
- Legal name
- Microcom S.A.R.L.
- Website
- https://microcom-rdc.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Microcom is a Congolese broadband ISP founded in 1982 that provides satellite (VSAT), wireless (LTE/WiMAX), and fiber internet connectivity to corporate enterprises, 13 banking institutions, government and parastatal bodies, and individuals across 10 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Microcom industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Internet Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (517410), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers (HDAIADAD), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAE), Rural & Universal Service Fixed Broadband Providers (HDAIABAJ)
Keywords
Where Microcom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Katanga
Offices10 records
Markets served
Microcom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Internet Access Services: Monthly subscription-based internet access through VSAT, LTE/WiMAX, and Fiber Optique technologies with volume unlimited plans
- Telecommunications Solutions: VPN, Intranet, VoIP, and Wi-Fi (Hotspot and individual) solutions for enterprises and private customers
- GSM Backhauling: Infrastructure services for mobile network operators connecting to satellite networks
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | VSAT C-Band & Ku-Band satellite internet - $10/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | LTE & WiMAX wireless internet - $20/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fiber Optique fiber optic internet - $30/month |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Microcom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Microcom S.A.R.L. is the largest broadband internet service provider in the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivering satellite (VSAT C-Band and Ku-Band), wireless (LTE/WiMAX), and fiber optic connectivity to corporate enterprises, banking institutions, government bodies, parastatals, and private individuals. The company operates its own teleports in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, over 20 proprietary earth stations, more than 1,500 VSAT client terminals, and a 40 km private fiber optic network with connections to international submarine cables (WACS, Seacom).
Product overview
Microcom is a Congolese telecommunications and internet service provider offering a portfolio of connectivity solutions including satellite (VSAT via TropicSat brand), wireless (LTE & WiMAX), and fiber optic internet services. The company operates its own teleports in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi connecting to international satellites and submarine cables. Additional services include VPN, Intranet, VoIP, and Wi-Fi solutions targeting corporate clients, banking institutions, government entities, and individuals across DRC.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TropicSat: The cheapest VSAT solution on the market in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering unprecedented capacities at competitive pricing.
Products and services
- TropicSat
- VSAT C-Band & Ku-Band
- LTE & WiMAX
- Fibre Optique
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.96% SLA annual availability for VSAT services
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Microcom
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Microcom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Microcom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- IntelsatcoreMajor satellite provider supplying transponder capacity for Microcom's VSAT services. Microcom utilizes Intelsat transponders as part of its satellite infrastructure for nationwide coverage.
- EutelsatcoreMajor satellite provider supplying transponder capacity for Microcom's VSAT services. Used alongside Intelsat for comprehensive satellite coverage.
- WACS (West Africa Cable System)coreSubmarine communications cable connecting Kinshasa to international fiber networks. Microcom's Kinshasa teleport is connected to the WACS cable.
- SeacomcoreSubmarine fiber optic cable connecting Lubumbashi teleport to international fiber networks.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights4 records
Microcom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- iWay Africa (Gondwana International Networks): iWay Africa/Gondwana delivers VSAT, fiber, and managed connectivity across the African continent. Comparable as a satellite-plus-terrestrial ISP serving enterprise customers across multiple African geographies.
- Paratus Group: Paratus is a pan-African ISP and connectivity provider offering satellite, wireless, and fiber services across multiple African countries. Closely comparable as a multi-technology ISP targeting enterprise and government clients in frontier markets.
- YahClick (Yahsat): YahClick is Yahsat's satellite broadband service covering the Middle East and Africa. Directly comparable as a satellite-based ISP serving consumer and enterprise customers across emerging markets.
- Avanti Communications: Avanti operates HYLAS satellite fleet delivering broadband across Africa and the Middle East. Comparable as a satellite broadband wholesaler/retailer serving enterprise, government, and consumer customers in similar frontier markets.
- Konnect Africa (Eutelsat): Konnect is Eutelsat's consumer satellite broadband service across Africa, partnering with the same upstream provider Microcom relies on. Directly comparable as an Africa-focused VSAT/satellite broadband ISP targeting households and SMBs.
Broad incumbents
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid operates one of Africa's largest fiber networks and a portfolio of cloud and connectivity services for enterprises. Comparable as a broad African connectivity incumbent that overlaps with Microcom in enterprise and cross-border services but with much larger scale.
- Orange RDC: Orange RDC is one of the largest mobile and fixed-line operators in the DRC, offering enterprise data services alongside consumer mobile. Comparable as a large DRC-based telecom incumbent competing for the same enterprise and government contracts.
- Vodacom Congo (Vodacom Group): Vodacom Congo is a major MNO in DRC with growing enterprise and fixed-data services. Comparable as a large DRC telecom incumbent competing for enterprise connectivity budgets.
Regional players
- Wananchi Group: Wananchi operates triple-play and broadband services in East Africa (notably Kenya via Zuku). Comparable as an African fixed-broadband ISP in a neighboring region with similar enterprise/SMB target market.
Others
- SEACOM: SEACOM operates an African submarine cable system and provides wholesale and enterprise connectivity services. Comparable as an upstream infrastructure partner and adjacent connectivity provider linked through Microcom's Lubumbashi teleport.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Microcom social profiles
Digital presenceMicrocom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Microcom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Microcom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Microcom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Microcom
What does Microcom do?
Microcom S.A.R.L. is the largest broadband internet service provider in the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivering satellite (VSAT C-Band and Ku-Band), wireless (LTE/WiMAX), and fiber optic connectivity to corporate enterprises, banking institutions, government bodies, parastatals, and private individuals. The company operates its own teleports in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, over 20 proprietary earth stations, more than 1,500 VSAT client terminals, and a 40 km private fiber optic network with connections to international submarine cables (WACS, Seacom).
Is Microcom a public or private company?
Microcom is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Microcom founded?
Microcom was founded in 1982. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Microcom based?
Microcom is headquartered in Katanga.
How does Microcom make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Internet Access Services are the primary driver. The others are telecommunications Solutions and GSM Backhauling.
Who are Microcom's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are iWay Africa (Gondwana International Networks), Paratus Group, YahClick (Yahsat), Avanti Communications and Konnect Africa (Eutelsat). Broad incumbents are Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Orange RDC and Vodacom Congo (Vodacom Group). Wananchi Group is listed as a regional player. SEACOM is listed as an others.
Does Microcom have an API?
No public API is recorded for Microcom.
What industry is Microcom in?
Microcom's product category is Telecommunications Internet Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAA, Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB), with a secondary code of HDAIADAD, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers. Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 4899.