First direct satellite mobile test completed in Zambia
MTN has taken a significant step toward satellite-based mobile connectivity in Africa after its Zambian operation successfully completed field testing of SpaceX’s Starlink direct-to-cell technology.
The telecommunications company announced that MTN Zambia became the first mobile network operator on the continent to conduct a successful satellite-to-mobile phone data session using Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation.
During the trial, a standard LTE-compatible smartphone connected directly to orbiting satellites without relying on traditional ground-based cellular towers. The test included both a data session and a mobile money transaction using MTN’s MoMo digital payments platform.
According to the operator, this marked the first time in Zambia that a satellite network enabled a mobile phone to complete both internet connectivity and a fintech transaction through a telecom provider’s licensed spectrum.
MTN Zambia said it expects to launch the service commercially in the coming weeks once regulatory approval is granted by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority.
Satellite technology targeting Africa’s coverage gaps
Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology effectively turns satellites into cell towers operating in space. Using advanced phased-array antennas, the satellites communicate directly with standard LTE smartphones.
Signals are then routed across the Starlink satellite network through laser links before connecting to terrestrial telecom infrastructure operated by mobile providers.
One of the key advantages of the technology is that it does not require specialised equipment, software updates or additional applications on users’ devices. Instead, any compatible 4G smartphone with a clear view of the sky can potentially connect to the network.
MTN said the service is designed to extend mobile coverage to areas where building traditional telecommunications infrastructure is difficult or economically unviable.
These locations include remote farming communities, national parks and settlements surrounded by rivers or large bodies of water where the construction of cellular towers may not be practical.
Expanding satellite partnerships across Africa
The Zambian test forms part of MTN’s broader strategy to explore satellite connectivity solutions across the continent.
In March 2025, MTN South Africa conducted another milestone test in partnership with US satellite company Lynk Global. That trial demonstrated Africa’s first satellite-to-mobile voice call using an unmodified smartphone over a low-Earth orbit satellite network.
The company has also been exploring partnerships with several satellite providers, including Lynk Global, AST SpaceMobile, OneWeb and Starlink.
Competition among telecom operators to secure satellite partnerships has intensified across Africa in recent years as companies seek to close connectivity gaps affecting millions of people.
Airtel Africa announced in December 2025 that it had reached an agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s direct-to-cell services across its 14 African markets, potentially serving around 174 million subscribers once regulatory approvals are obtained.
Vodacom, meanwhile, has focused on satellite backhaul connectivity through partnerships with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile.
Despite these developments across the continent, South Africa has yet to launch Starlink services domestically due to regulatory and ownership requirements tied to telecommunications licensing.
Industry analysts say satellite-to-phone connectivity could become a key component of Africa’s digital infrastructure in the coming years, particularly in regions where traditional network expansion remains challenging.
