MTN Group is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite tv for pc suppliers to carry web connections to rural and distant prospects particularly, group CEO Ralph Mupita stated on Monday.
Satellite tv for pc web has turn out to be another connectivity resolution throughout Africa, with the recognition of suppliers corresponding to Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, highlighting this truth.
LEO satellites present high-speed web even in areas the place terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure corresponding to fibre and cellular broadband is tough and costly to deploy.
“To maintain prospects and companies linked always, we’re going to should embrace satellite tv for pc as an extra expertise kind,” Mupita stated in a media name.
He stated MTN is finishing up proof of ideas with numerous LEO satellite tv for pc operators for potential partnerships.
“We’re exploring a number of, and truly a few of them we’re pleased to be resellers via our enterprise enterprise to a few of our prospects in particular international locations,” Mupita stated.
MTN shouldn’t be alone in looking for out partnership agreements. Smaller rival Cell C is doing the identical.
Vodacom Group, MTN’s most direct rival and majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone Group, introduced a partnership with Amazon’s Venture Kuiper LEO satellite tv for pc system final 12 months.
Regulatory necessities
“We’re very conscious of the challenges of getting to compete as a hard and fast and wi-fi operator with LEO satellites over time, so we’re arranging ourselves to have the ability to sure-proof our companies in our key markets,” Mupita stated.
Starlink operates in a number of African international locations however has confronted regulatory challenges in others, together with South Africa, and resistance from state telecoms corporations.
Communications regulator Icasa is at present engaged on the regulatory and licensing framework for satellite tv for pc web suppliers to offer clear guidelines for operators.
Learn: Starlink is already at capability in some African cities
“LEO operators ought to be handled the identical as terrestrial operators corresponding to ourselves, subjected to the identical regulatory necessities whether or not it’s round information privateness, information transport, localisation and entry to spectrum,” Mupita stated. “Our ask is that there simply be a degree enjoying floor.” — (c) 2024 Reuters
