South Africa’s leading mobile operators, Vodacom and MTN, are actively testing direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity to enhance their services across Africa. Like many global telecoms, they are exploring low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology to bridge existing coverage gaps, especially in remote areas where traditional tower installations are not feasible.
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Unlike older geostationary (GEO) satellites, which require bulky satellite phones and suffer from high latency (over 600ms), LEO satellites orbit much closer to Earth in denser fleets. This allows them to support lower latency and greater bandwidth, making them suitable for regular cellular connectivity on unmodified smartphones. However, LEO services must operate on compatible radiofrequency spectrum, typically licensed to mobile networks.
SpaceX’s Starlink is the most prominent LEO operator, having launched over 400 D2C-supporting satellites. Their commercial D2C service recently went live in the US and New Zealand through partnerships with T-Mobile and One NZ, allowing customers to roam on satellite where terrestrial networks are unavailable. Initially supporting SMS, Starlink plans to add calling and online services soon, with expansion to several other countries by late 2025. This connectivity is also vital for emergency communications during natural disasters.
Locally, Vodacom (and its parent Vodafone) has partnered with AST SpaceMobile. In September 2023, they successfully trialled the world’s first space-based 5G voice call using an unmodified Galaxy S22. Vodacom also collaborates with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to extend 4G and 5G coverage in Africa and Europe. Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy confirmed ongoing work with AST SpaceMobile, noting a recent record of nearly 14 Mbps download speeds in a space-based cellular broadband data session. Kennedy emphasized that this technology could “connect millions of people in the remotest regions to the internet for the first time.”
MTN, in partnership with US firm Lynk Global, conducted South Africa’s first direct-to-satellite phone call in March 2025. Lynk Global was also the first to send a text from satellite to a standard mobile phone in 2020. With five LEO satellites and support from SES’s medium-earth orbit satellites, Lynk Global and MTN’s tests successfully demonstrated D2C viability within IMT-designated spectrum bands, focusing initially on GSM connectivity. MTN plans to extend testing to LTE as legacy technologies are phased out.
MTN views D2C services as crucial for achieving 99% broadband population coverage and accelerating digital inclusion across Africa. The company intends to introduce D2C services in the “near future,” aligning rollout with its business strategy. However, the precise timing of a commercial launch hinges on the regulatory environment, which MTN argues requires certainty and parity for fair obligations between satellite and terrestrial operators. MTN has formally responded to ICASA’s inquiry into satellite licensing and continues constructive engagement with the regulator.
