MTN SA and Lynk Global Trial Africa’s First Satellite-to-Phone Service
MTN South Africa and LEO satellite provider Lynk Global successfully conducted Africa’s first satellite-to-mobile device phone call during a technical trial on 27 March 2025, in the sparsely populated North West province, South Africa. The trial marks a significant advancement for African telecom providers like MTN, demonstrating the potential of LEO satellites to complement existing terrestrial networks. It also reinforces MTN’s efforts to expand broadband coverage across South Africa, bringing the company closer to its 99% coverage target.
“The satellite-to-mobile phone call enables MTN and Lynk Global to test voice call quality and SMS capabilities over a LEO satellite connection. The technical trial was part of our work to find potential solutions to the challenges of providing coverage in underserved, rural and remote areas,” MTN South Africa Chief Executive Officer Charles Molapisi.
The technology of LEO constellations, such as their lower altitude and frequent orbital periods, enables more rapid and near-real-time data communication with similar reduced latencies for applications such as video conferencing and online gaming. A key advantage of this technology is its broad compatibility, enabling it to function seamlessly with existing mobile devices without requiring modifications. This is particularly important in Africa, where mobile penetration is high, but access to advanced communication devices remains limited due to cost constraints. Moreover, this satellite-to-mobile technology advancement will lower adoption barriers and accelerate digital inclusion across the continent.
Direct satellite-to-phone contact offers several other potential benefits, including enabling the development of mass notification capabilities for critical alerts such as weather warnings, health advisories and humanitarian updates. Vryburg, an agricultural town in the North West Province, became the site for the trial following the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA’s) approval of radio frequencies on MTN-licensed IMT spectrum for the duration of the trial.
Satellite-To-Phone Initiatives in Africa
In 2023, Lynk Global signed a contract with Telecel Group to provide Vodafone Ghana subscribers access to its satellite-based cell towers. That same year, South Africa’s largest operator, Vodacom, partnered with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to expand its connectivity solutions using LEO satellites. Furthermore, Starlink, a key player in Africa’s satellite connectivity landscape, conducted its first Direct-to-Cell technology test earlier this year in the United States, enabling standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites. The company is yet to announce when such services will be available in Africa. However, its potential entry to the African market could accelerate competition among telecom providers in a bid to increase connectivity across the continent.