Satellite-direct-to-device (D2D) provider, Lynk Global has had a busy week with the announcement of successful tests of its service in Turkey followed by further positive news – this time in South Africa.
Operator MTN South Africa and Lynk Global, whose system is based on what it calls low earth orbit ‘cell-tower-in-space’ satellites, said on Thursday that they had made Africa’s first phone call via satellite.
This was part of a technical trial that enabled the two companies to test voice-call quality using a standard smartphone and SMS capabilities over a LEO satellite connection.
In the longer term, of course, this could be another option for mobile operators looking for cost-effective ways to provide coverage in underserviced, remote and rural areas.
Reuters says the companies received approval from the telecoms regulator ICASA to use radio frequencies on MTN-licensed spectrum for the trial.
Lynk, however, is not just busy in Africa. Earlier this week it announced that it had successfully demonstrated its patented technology in a testing campaign conducted with Turkcell, Turkey’s largest mobile operator, which has more than 40 million subscribers.
The tests, which were conducted in a rural area near Konya, a city south of Ankara in Turkey’s Central Anatolia region, utilised Turkcell’s mobile frequencies and Lynk’s satellites to successfully provide seamless SMS exchanges and voice calls using commercial cell phones without requiring specialised devices or attachments.
The promise of satellite communications has been highlighted for many years as a way to overcome remote connectivity issues – notably in Africa. However, affordability – both for providers and end users – has long been an issue. As more satellites are launched at lower cost and competition increases, could we finally be reaching a tipping point?
Among the many operators keeping a close eye on developments are a number in South Africa. Indeed, well ahead of the Lynk trial, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita announced in November that his company was exploring partnerships with LEO satellite providers to bring internet connection to rural and remote customers in particular.
Rival South African operators Cell C and Vodacom are apparently assessing similar schemes; Vodacom announced a partnership with Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO satellite system in 2023.
