MTN plans satellite-internet rollout for remote communities

Africa’s biggest mobile operator, MTN, is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit satellite providers to bring internet connection to rural and remote customers in particular.

The Group CEO, Ralph Mupita, said in a media call, Reuters reported on Monday.

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.

“To keep customers and businesses connected at all times, we’re going to have to embrace satellite as an additional technology form,” Mupita stated.
He said South Africa-based MTN was carrying out proof of concepts with several LEO satellite operators for possible partnerships.

“We are 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,” Mupita said.

Reuters reported that MTN is not alone in seeking out partnership agreements. Smaller rival Cell C is doing the same.
South Africa’s biggest operator, Vodacom, majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone, 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 sure-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 Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is currently developing a regulatory and licensing framework for satellite internet providers to clarify operational rules.

“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, or access to the spectrum,” Mupita said.

“Our ask is that there must be a level playing ground.”