Airtel Africa said on Tuesday it has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite technology to all of its 14 markets. The satellite-to-mobile service will begin across Africa in 2026, with data for select applications and text messaging, Airtel Africa said in a statement. Airtel Africa customers with compatible smartphones in regions without terrestrial…
SpaceX’s Starlink said one of its satellites experienced an anomaly in space on Wednesday that created a “small number” of debris and cut off communications with the spacecraft at 418km in altitude, a rare kinetic accident in orbit for the satellite internet giant. “The satellite is largely intact, tumbling, and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and…
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi. The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the African National Congress (ANC) are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the policy direction issued by minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, on the role of equity equivalent investment programmes…
Solly Malatsi. Image: DCDT Communications minister Solly Malatsi has put his stamp on one of the most contentious issues in South Africa’s ICT sector: how black economic empowerment is applied to companies, like Elon Musk’s Starlink, that cannot, or will not, dilute ownership in their local operations. In a final policy directive published on Friday…
Vodacom Group has announced a “pivotal” agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to significantly expand internet access across Africa, targeting businesses and accelerating rural network coverage. Read: Discovery Bank partners with Luno in SA for crypto trading The core of the partnership involves integrating Starlink’s satellite backhaul into Vodacom’s existing mobile network. This strategic integration is…
Dominic Cull Ryan Goodnight, senior director of market access and development at SpaceX, told Africa Tech Festival attendees last week that Starlink could launch in South Africa “tomorrow” if four lines in the licensing regulations were deleted. But communications lawyer Dominic Cull of Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions is unequivocal: not only is that timeline impossible but…
The most direct competitor to Starlink, Amazon.com’s Project Kuiper, has changed its name to Amazon Leo. According to a statement on Thursday, the “Leo” in the new name refers to low-Earth orbit, aligning the brand more closely with the type of service it provides to its customers. “Like most early Amazon projects, the programme needed…
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub Vodacom Group has announced what it has described as a “pivotal” agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide internet access to businesses across Africa. The agreement will also result in expanded rural network coverage. “Integrating Starlink’s satellite backhaul into Vodacom’s mobile network will accelerate network coverage expansion while increasing network…
European aerospace groups unveiled a preliminary deal on Thursday to pool their loss-making satellite manufacturing activities, combining forces after months of negotiations to counter the runaway growth of rivals led by Elon Musk’s Starlink. The keenly awaited deal between Airbus, Thales and Leonardo would create a new venture starting from 2027, subject to approval by…
Elon Musk’s SpaceX says it has cut Starlink satellite communication links to more than 2,500 devices used by scam compounds in Myanmar. More than 30 compounds are believed to be operating along the Thai-Myanmar border, where people from around the world are trafficked and forced to work on scams generating tens of billions of dollars…
