Vodacom Group, South Africa’s largest mobile operator, has announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to businesses across Africa. The company made the announcement on Wednesday, marking a major step towards closing the continent’s digital divide.
Despite Vodacom’s wide network of over 223 million customers, rural regions across Africa still face major connectivity challenges. Sparse populations, low smartphone usage, and difficult landscapes make it costly and complicated to set up traditional mobile towers. To overcome these barriers, the telecom firm is turning to low earth orbit satellite technology, which can provide reliable internet coverage even in remote areas.
In a statement, Vodacom said it will integrate Starlink’s satellite technology for data relay into its mobile network. The company will also be authorised to resell Starlink’s equipment and services to its customers in Africa. This partnership is expected to boost connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions, supporting both businesses and communities.
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said, “We continue dealing with multiple satellite providers, including Starlink, where Starlink has been licensed, including AST SpaceMobile as well as Amazon Kuiper.” He made the remarks after the company’s interim results earlier this week.
Vodacom, which is majority owned by Britain’s Vodafone, has been actively working to strengthen its network through collaborations with global technology leaders. The company’s larger regional competitor, MTN Group, is also exploring similar partnerships with satellite providers. Meanwhile, Vodafone has joined hands with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile to enhance low earth orbit satellite connectivity.
Through this new alliance with Starlink, Vodacom aims to provide faster and more reliable internet access across Africa’s underserved regions, reinforcing its commitment to bridging the connectivity gap and driving digital inclusion across the continent.
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