MTN Makes Africa’s First Satellite Phone Call in Partnership with Lynk Global
MTN Group’s South African unit, in collaboration with U.S.-based Lynk Global, has successfully completed Africa’s first phone call via satellite, marking a major milestone in mobile connectivity.
This breakthrough has the potential to expand network coverage to underserved and rural areas, leveraging low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to bridge the digital divide.
How MTN’s Satellite Call Was Achieved
The historic call was conducted in Vryburg, North West province, as part of a technical trial to evaluate voice-call quality and SMS capabilities over an LEO satellite connection.
The companies received regulatory approval from South Africa’s telecom authority, ICASA, to use radio frequencies on MTN’s licensed spectrum for the test.
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Why This Matters for Africa
- Expands coverage to rural areas where traditional mobile towers are costly or impractical.
- Supports emergency communications in disaster-prone regions.
- Bridges the digital divide by ensuring more Africans have access to mobile connectivity.
MTN’s Vision for Satellite Connectivity
MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi highlighted that the successful trial demonstrates MTN’s ability to enhance its existing mobile infrastructure with satellite technology.
While further details on the next steps remain undisclosed, this development positions MTN as a leader in Africa’s push toward universal mobile coverage.
As mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers continue to explore satellite-based solutions, this innovation could reshape Africa’s telecom industry, making seamless mobile connectivity a reality for millions.
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