South Africa’s MTN is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit satellite providers to bring internet connection to rural and remote customers. Group CEO Ralph Mupita said on Monday that MTN is carrying out proof of concepts with a number of LEO satellite operators for possible partnerships. “To keep customers and businesses connected at all times, we’re going to have to embrace satellite as an additional technology form,” Mupita said in a media call.
He added that MTN is “exploring several, and actually some of them we’re happy to be resellers through our enterprise business to some of our customers in specific countries.”
Satellite internet has become an alternative connectivity solution across Africa with the popularity of providers such as Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. LEO satellites provide high-speed internet even in areas where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure, such as fibre and mobile broadband, is difficult and expensive to deploy. MTN is not alone in seeking out partnership agreements.
Mtn’s LEO satellite initiative for connectivity
Smaller rival Cell C is doing the same. South Africa’s biggest operator, Vodacom, announced a partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO satellite last year.
“We’re very aware of the challenges of having to compete as a fixed and wireless operator with LEO satellites over time, so we’re arranging ourselves to be able to future-proof our businesses in our key markets,” Mupita said. Starlink operates in several African countries but has faced regulatory challenges in others, including South Africa, and resistance from state telecoms companies. The South African regulator ICASA is currently working on the regulatory and licensing framework for satellite-internet providers to provide clear rules for operators.
“LEO operators should be treated the same as terrestrial operators such as ourselves, subjected to the same regulatory requirements whether it’s around data privacy, data transport, localization, and access to spectrum,” Mupita said. “Our ask is that there just be a level playing ground.”
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
