South Africa tests direct satellite mobile calls with global partners

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Emilio Ghigini

26.07.2025

South Africa tests direct satellite mobile calls with global partners — MTN and Vodacom trial space-based cellular services across Africa

South African mobile operators are seeking partners to develop satellite phone networks.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are increasingly being used to support mobile communications. This type of connectivity is crucial for remote areas with no coverage or during emergencies when ground networks are disrupted.

SpaceX’s Starlink is the largest LEO operator and the only company that has launched a commercial Direct-to-Cell (D2C) service. This service is already available in the U.S. and New Zealand, through partnerships with T-Mobile and One NZ, respectively.

By the end of the year, SpaceX plans to expand services to Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, and Ukraine — starting with SMS support and later adding voice and data services.

Several other international firms are also working with mobile operators to offer D2C satellite services. South African mobile operators Vodacom and MTN conducted D2C tests to improve service across Africa.

Vodafone, the parent company of Vodacom, and satellite operator AST SpaceMobile made the world’s first 5G voice call from space using a regular Galaxy S22 smartphone in September 2023.

Vodacom’s Byron Kennedy told MyBroadband that Vodafone is continuing its work with AST and Amazon’s Project Kuiper to expand 4G and 5G coverage across Africa and Europe.

“In a separate trial earlier this year, AST, supported by Vodafone, broke its own record for satellite-to-phone data speed, reaching nearly 14 Mbps,” Kennedy said.

A vital technology for remote areas

According to Kennedy, this technology could potentially connect millions in remote regions to the internet for the first time.

MTN and Lynk Global also conducted a D2C satellite call in South Africa earlier this year. In March 2025, MTN made its first direct satellite voice call in partnership with U.S.-based Lynk Global.

“The initial testing focused on GSM connectivity using MTN SA’s IMT900 spectrum. The company plans to expand to LTE as part of its network modernization strategy, phasing out legacy 2G and 3G tech,” MTN SA said.

Lynk Global currently has five satellites orbiting at around 500 km altitude and is partnering with SES to use its medium Earth orbit satellites for backup.

MTN is also exploring partnerships with additional D2C satellite providers in other countries.

“This initiative aligns with MTN’s broader mission to achieve 99% broadband population coverage and accelerate digital access across South Africa and the continent,” the company added.

MTN plans to roll out D2C services “in the near future,” pending regulatory approval.

As we wrote, MTN invests $17 million to upgrade Gauteng telecom network

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