Mtn Claims First Satellite Direct-to-mobile Call In South Africa

Since the initial use case for direct-to-mobile is boosting connectivity in rural and outlying communities, the trial was conducted in a remote part of North West to demonstrate that very capability.

Lynk Global chief commercial officer Dan Dooley claimed it was the first commercial direct-to-mobile call made in Africa.

"The call in Vryburg allows MTN and Lynk Global to test voice call quality and SMS capabilities over a low-Earth-orbit LEO satellite connection. The technical trial was part of our work to find potential solutions to the challenges of providing coverage in underserviced, rural and remote areas," said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi in a statement.

Molapisi said the proof of concept showed MTN can complement its terrestrial network with LEO satellites in a way that will help MTN achieve its goal of 99 broadband population coverage. Spectrum used to make the call was approved for the trial by communications regulator Icasa.

Rival Vodacom Group is exploring similar partnerships with Amazon.com-owned Project Kuiper and with AST SpaceMobile, in which Vodacom parent Vodafone Group holds a 5 stake. Similar to Lynk Global, with whom MTN has partnered in South Africa, AST SpaceMobile is betting on satellite direct-to-mobile connectivity to be a gamechanger in the coming years.