MTN Group and Vodafone subsidiary Vodacom are conducting trials of direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity, aiming to bridge coverage gaps across Africa’s remote regions.
Industry reports confirm the telecom giants are evaluating low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver services where terrestrial infrastructure remains economically unviable. This initiative could transform connectivity for rural communities and provide critical backup during natural disasters.
Traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, orbiting at high altitudes, suffer from latency exceeding 600 milliseconds and require specialized hardware.
By contrast, LEO satellites operate closer to Earth in denser constellations, enabling lower-latency communication compatible with standard smartphones through licensed mobile spectrum.
SpaceX’s Starlink currently the only commercial D2C provider has deployed over 400 dedicated satellites and launched text services in the U.S. and New Zealand via partnerships with T-Mobile and One NZ. Voice and data capabilities are expected soon.
Starlink plans to expand D2C roaming to Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, and Ukraine by late 2025. While Starlink leads the market, MTN and Vodacom’s exploration signals growing African interest in leveraging competing LEO networks.
The technology promises to bolster emergency response during infrastructure outages while supporting Ghana’s digital inclusion goals under President Mahama’s administration.
