MTN South Africa, in partnership with American satellite provider Lynk Global, has successfully completed Africa’s first satellite phone call using a standard smartphone.
The groundbreaking trial took place in Vryburg, North West province, marking a major step toward improving connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
The trial evaluated voice call quality and SMS functionality over a low-Earth orbit satellite connection.
MTN South Africa CEO, Charles Molapisi, stated that this initiative aligns with MTN’s strategy to expand coverage in areas where traditional infrastructure is difficult to implement.
LEO satellites operate closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, allowing for lower latency and faster internet services. This technology offers a promising solution for connecting remote African communities where geography and infrastructure challenges have hindered access.
MTN Group has been partnering with global satellite providers like OneWeb, Starlink, Lynk Global, and AST SpaceMobile.
MTN’s push into satellite technology reflects a broader industry trend, as competitors like Vodacom collaborate with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to enhance connectivity in remote areas.
Other African telecom operators are also exploring satellite partnerships to expand their network coverage.
MTN and Lynk Global’s successful trial demonstrates the feasibility of satellite-enabled mobile communication in Africa and highlights its potential to enhance digital inclusion.
