African telecom operators are increasingly turning to space technology to accelerate network coverage. Since March 2022, Safaricom has had an ongoing partnership agreement with satellite telecom services provider Intelsat.
Kenyan telecommunications operator, Safaricom, will utilize AST SpaceMobile's satellite capabilities to enhance its mobile services reach in Kenya, especially in remote rural areas.
As part of a partnership agreement between Vodafone Group, a Safaricom shareholder, and AST SpaceMobile, both parties conducted basic functionality tests of AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 satellite in 2022. This was followed by a formal trial in the second quarter of 2023, in collaboration with Vodacom and Safaricom.
This partnership comes at a time when African telecom operators seek to boost network coverage in response to the demand for high-speed connectivity and rapid digital transformation across the continent. Space technology proves more suitable as it provides broader coverage, reaching even populations living in remote and difficult-to-access rural areas, where terrestrial networks may struggle to reach.
In March 2022, Safaricom signed a multi-year contract with satellite telecom services provider Intelsat to modernize its network and expand LTE coverage to more subscribers nationwide. Under the agreement, Intelsat provides Safaricom with satellite cellular backhaul services and enterprise connectivity using its end-to-end managed Ku-band CellBackhaul service.
These strategic initiatives are poised to have a significant impact on Safaricom's market presence. By enhancing its network capabilities, Safaricom aims to attract thousands of additional subscribers, solidifying its position as a telecom market leader in Kenya.
The latest statistics from the Communications Authority (CA) show Safaricom holding a dominant 66.2% share of the mobile telephony market. Airtel Kenya follows with 26.7%, while Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom, and Finserve (Equitel) trail behind, holding 4.2%, 0.6%, and 2.3% of the national subscriber base, respectively.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Except for Tunisia entering the Top 10 at Libya’s expense, and Morocco moving up to sixth ahead of A...
African startup M&A hits record 67 deals in 2025 Consolidation driven by funding pressures and ex...
Urban employment reached 53.7% in WAEMU in early 2025 Most jobs remain informal, low-paid, and in...
CBE introduced CBE Connect in partnership with fintech StarPay. The platform enables cross-border...
Moniepoint, Opay, Kuda, and others gain national status with tighter oversight A naira 5 billion ...
Visit scheduled from February 4 to 6, 2026, at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema Talks to focus on diplomacy, trade, investment, food...
Manovo-Gounda-St Floris National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Central Africa. Located in the northeastern part of the Central African...
Ethiopia to reopen talks on restructuring its $1 billion Eurobond OCC says draft deal fails comparability of treatment debt-relief...
Touted as a tool of emancipation, blockchain was meant to give the Central African Republic a new form of economic and digital independence. In practice,...
Manovo-Gounda-St Floris National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Central Africa. Located in the northeastern part of the Central African...
Streaming dominates music, reshaping royalties and artist income worldwide Sub-Saharan Africa grows fast, but payouts stay far lower Platform, region,...