South Africa has taken another step toward strengthening its digital infrastructure with the launch of BrainSAT Satellite Services, a locally operated satellite communications provider established in partnership with United Arab Emirates-based satellite company Space42.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile officially launched the service in Johannesburg on Tuesday, describing the initiative as an important milestone in expanding secure, resilient and reliable satellite connectivity across the country.
BrainSAT serves as Space42’s South African operating partner and will provide satellite broadband, communications and specialised connectivity services to both public and private sector users. At the same event, Mashatile also announced the local rollout of Thuraya satellite phones, another service supported by Space42.
According to the deputy president, the partnership reflects South Africa’s broader ambition to accelerate digital transformation while strengthening its position within Africa’s growing digital economy.
The collaboration follows a memorandum of understanding signed during a South African state visit to Dubai in April 2024. The agreement, concluded between the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Space42 and BrainSAT Technologies, laid the foundation for bringing advanced satellite communications capabilities into the country.
Supporting connectivity beyond traditional networks
Government said the launch forms part of efforts to improve communications resilience in sectors where uninterrupted connectivity is essential, including energy, mining, maritime operations and humanitarian services.
Satellite technology is expected to complement existing fibre and mobile networks by extending broadband access into remote communities and operational environments where conventional infrastructure is difficult or uneconomical to deploy.
Through its partnership with Space42, BrainSAT offers YahClick satellite broadband services, which use high-throughput Ka-band satellite technology already deployed across several African markets.
The company says its services are designed for households, businesses, government departments and enterprise customers operating in remote locations where fibre and 4G coverage remain unavailable.
Current broadband packages range from 10GB to 100GB, although pricing has not yet been published. YahClick technology itself has been available in South Africa for several years through internet service providers, including Vox Telecom.
In addition to broadband, BrainSAT plans to offer satellite voice communications, maritime connectivity, rapidly deployable field communications, geospatial intelligence services and supporting data centre infrastructure.
Part of South Africa’s long-term satellite ambitions
Mashatile said the launch aligns with South Africa’s National Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Strategy, which aims to establish a locally owned satellite communications capability to improve connectivity, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Government believes a domestic satellite system could improve service delivery, stimulate economic development, create new technology industries and expand broadband access nationwide.
Officials have also argued that greater investment in locally controlled satellite infrastructure could significantly reduce South Africa’s dependence on foreign communications providers.
Earlier this year, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation estimated that South Africa currently spends around R100 billion annually on foreign communication services. By comparison, government estimates suggest that a locally owned satellite system with an operational lifespan of up to 20 years could be developed through a once-off capital investment of approximately R6 billion.
Authorities say BrainSAT represents an important step towards achieving those long-term national connectivity objectives while supporting broader digital transformation initiatives across South Africa.
Source: BusinessTech