A statement by Vodacom Group that it placed a space-based network under formal trial with its Kenyan subsidiary Safaricom has ignited a frenzy of speculation that the company is to compete with Starlink’s satellite services in Africa directly.
“After successful completion of the trial, AST SpaceMobile will scale up their satellite deployments in partnership with Vodacom to provide ubiquitous communications to 4G devices across African and beyond,” Vodacom disclosed in its Integrated Report 2023.
“This capability will enable Vodacom to provide coverage in rural areas, where it is challenging to provide connectivity through traditional terrestrial communications solutions,” Vodacom said.
Trials were conducted through AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite.
Vodacom parent firm Vodafone Group Plc is an investor in Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, whose offering differs from Starlink’s by…
