MTN Group’s South African unit and U.S.-based low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider Lynk Global announced that they have successfully made Africa’s first phone call via satellite.
- MTN Group’s South African unit and Lynk Global successfully made Africa’s first phone call via satellite.
- The breakthrough could help extend mobile coverage to underserved and rural areas.
- Satellite technology is emerging as a key solution to bridging coverage gaps for mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers.
MTN Group’s South African unit and U.S.-based low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider Lynk Global announced on Thursday that they successfully made Africa’s first phone call via satellite.
This breakthrough could help extend mobile coverage to underserved and rural areas.
As mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers compete to expand network reach, satellite technology is emerging as a key solution to bridging coverage gaps.
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The call, conducted in Vryburg, North West province, was part of a technical trial allowing MTN South Africa and Lynk Global to assess the voice-call quality and SMS capabilities over a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connection, according to Reuters.
“The technical trial was part of our work to find potential solutions to the challenges of providing coverage in underserviced, rural and remote areas,” he added.
MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi emphasized that the call demonstrated MTN’s ability to enhance its existing ground-based cell towers and infrastructure with LEO satellite technology.
The companies secured approval from South Africa’s telecoms regulator, ICASA, to use radio frequencies on MTN-licensed spectrum for the trial. However, they did not disclose further details on their next steps.
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LEO satellites offer high-speed internet access in remote and underserved areas where traditional telecommunications infrastructure, such as fibre and mobile broadband, is challenging and costly to implement.
MTN is not alone in exploring satellite partnerships. Its smaller competitor, Cell C, is also pursuing similar agreements.
