South Africa's MTN exploring partnerships with satellite-internet providers

Africa's biggest mobile operator MTN is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers to bring internet connection to rural and remote customers in particular, Group CEO Ralph Mupita said on Monday. Satellite-internet has become an alternative connectivity solution across Africa with the popularity of providers such as Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. LEO satellites provide high-speed internet even in areas where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure such as fibre and mobile broadband is difficult and expensive to deploy.