Key Developments
MTN and Lynk Global Make Africa’s First Satellite Phone Call Using a Regular Smartphone
MTN South Africa, together with American satellite company Lynk Global, has successfully carried out Africa’s first satellite phone call using a regular smartphone.
The historic call was made in Vryburg, a town in South Africa’s North West province.
This test is a major step toward connecting rural and remote communities that don’t have traditional mobile infrastructure.
This test is a major step toward connecting rural and remote communities that don’t have traditional mobile infrastructure.
The trial showed that satellite technology can help bring mobile services to areas that have been hard to reach in the past.
The test focused on checking voice call quality and SMS services using a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
The test focused on checking voice call quality and SMS services using a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
These satellites travel much closer to Earth than regular satellites, which allows for faster and more reliable connections.
Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, said the project is part of MTN’s ongoing effort to find practical ways to expand coverage to areas where building normal cellphone towers is difficult or expensive.
MTN is not alone in this effort. The company has been exploring satellite partnerships with global providers like OneWeb, Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global.
Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, said the project is part of MTN’s ongoing effort to find practical ways to expand coverage to areas where building normal cellphone towers is difficult or expensive.
MTN is not alone in this effort. The company has been exploring satellite partnerships with global providers like OneWeb, Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global.
Other telecom companies in Africa, including Vodacom, are also working with satellite firms—such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper—to reach users in remote regions.
Before launching the trial, MTN and Lynk Global got permission from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to use MTN’s licensed spectrum.
This successful trial proves that satellite-powered mobile services can work in Africa. More importantly, it offers hope for millions of people in remote areas to finally get connected to the digital world.
Before launching the trial, MTN and Lynk Global got permission from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to use MTN’s licensed spectrum.
This successful trial proves that satellite-powered mobile services can work in Africa. More importantly, it offers hope for millions of people in remote areas to finally get connected to the digital world.
Related Articles
Register Now
Empower Africa Times Newsletter
Share :
You may also like...
Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund Invests $45 Million in CrossBoundary Energy
The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), under the management of Ninety One, has committed $45 million in funding to CrossBoundary Energy.
March 7, 2025
Morocco’s Hypeo Ai Gets Backing from Renew Capital to Streamline Influencer Marketing
Hypeo Ai, a Moroccan startup offering an AI-powered platform for influencer marketing, has secured funding from Renew Capital to speed up and simplify brand-creator collaborations across Africa and the Middle East.
August 17, 2025
Egyptian Proptech Nawy Closes $52 Million Series A to Avance AI Infrastructure and Grow in MENA
Property technology company Nawy has successfully raised $52 million in a Series A equity round to support its strategic expansion across Egypt and the broader MENA region.
May 12, 2025