In March 2025, MTN South Africa, in partnership with Lynk Global, achieved a historic milestone by completing Africa’s first direct satellite-to-smartphone voice call. The MTN Satellite Trial was conducted near Vryburg in the North West province using a standard, unmodified smartphone. This achievement shows how low-Earth-orbit satellite technology can extend mobile coverage to areas where building traditional infrastructure is difficult or costly. It highlights MTN’s commitment to innovation and its vision of connecting every community in South Africa, no matter how remote.
The MTN Satellite Trial focused on testing both voice call quality and SMS delivery using MTN’s licensed spectrum. With approval from ICASA, the companies successfully demonstrated that ordinary smartphones can connect directly to satellites without needing any additional hardware. The test proved that satellite networks can complement MTN’s existing ground-based infrastructure and provide coverage to communities that previously had no reliable mobile access. This approach has the potential to revolutionize how networks are extended to underserved areas, ensuring that everyone can benefit from digital services.
Reliable mobile connectivity remains a challenge in many rural provinces due to high infrastructure costs and difficult terrain. The MTN Satellite Trial offers a practical solution to close these gaps. Because low-Earth-orbit satellites operate closer to the planet than traditional satellites, they can provide lower latency and better call quality, allowing for real-time voice communication and messaging. As the cost of satellite launches continues to drop, these solutions are becoming more scalable and affordable. For farmers, small businesses, clinics, and schools in remote areas, this breakthrough could transform access to education, healthcare, and trade. It opens up opportunities for economic growth, emergency communications, and digital inclusion for millions of South Africans who have previously been left behind.
The MTN Satellite Trial is a strong example of innovation driving digital inclusion. It reinforces MTN’s leadership in African telecom transformation and shows what can be achieved when advanced technology and forward-thinking regulation work together. The trial demonstrates that satellite networks can act as extensions of ground-based infrastructure, bringing essential services to areas that have never had reliable coverage. It also highlights how satellite-enabled communication can strengthen resilience during natural disasters or network outages by ensuring that critical voice and SMS services remain available when they are needed most.
MTN is already considering ways to expand this service further. Future plans may include partnerships with other satellite operators and the creation of enterprise packages for businesses and organizations working in remote regions. This could be especially valuable for industries like agriculture, mining, logistics, and emergency services, where reliable communication is vital. As South Africa’s regulatory framework for satellite connectivity develops, there will be increasing opportunities to integrate this technology with existing mobile networks. The success of the MTN Satellite Trial sets the stage for a future where affordable, reliable mobile connectivity is no longer limited by geography.
MTN’s successful satellite-to-smartphone trial with Lynk Global marks an important milestone in South Africa’s telecom journey. As satellite-to-mobile innovation becomes a reality, initiatives like the MTN Satellite Trial show how technology can bring meaningful connectivity to communities that need it most.
