The China Mail - Vodacom Targets Late 2027 Launch for Satellite-to-Phone Service in South Africa

Vodacom Group has established a timeline to introduce a commercial direct-to-cell satellite service in South Africa by the end of 2027. Chief Executive Shameel Joosub stated that the operator will "more than likely" execute this launch in partnership with AST SpaceMobile.

Speaking to TechCentral following the release of Vodacom’s interim results, Joosub confirmed that the initiative aims to connect ordinary smartphones directly to low-Earth orbit satellites. These satellites function as cell towers in space, providing coverage in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is absent or insufficient.

The move aligns with broader strategic shifts within the Vodafone Group, Vodacom’s UK parent company. Vodafone has supported AST SpaceMobile since 2020 and utilized its satellite network to facilitate what it described as the world’s first satellite video call from a standard smartphone in January 2025.

While Vodacom currently holds an agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink, Joosub clarified that this partnership is focused on broadband services rather than direct-to-mobile connectivity. The deal, finalized in November 2025, covers satellite backhaul for rural sites and the resale of Starlink equipment to business customers. Although Vodacom has already launched Starlink services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, and Mozambique, the provider does not currently hold a license to operate in South Africa.

Joosub emphasized that the proposed direct-to-cell service will not be compatible with 2G or 3G handsets. Consequently, the rollout is closely tied to Vodacom’s advocacy for switching off legacy networks in South Africa. The operator intends to dedicate a portion of its spectrum to satellite communications, a move that would also allow for more efficient use of frequencies currently reserved for older technologies.

According to Joosub, 3G cells require denser packing as traffic loads increase, whereas 4G cells maintain their size while handling greater capacity. Shutting down the 3G network would therefore reduce the number of sites Vodacom needs to maintain while freeing up spectrum for next-generation services.

To manage the transition, Joosub proposed a phased approach to legacy device migration. "You say, look, from six months’ time, nobody can connect 2G or 3G devices or import 2G or 3G devices," he said. He suggested a two-year run-off period during which the volume of older phones would naturally decline, similar to the migration away from analog television.

There is currently no government-mandated deadline for the network switch-off. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi stated in November 2024 that the process should be market-led. His department formally abandoned the previous administration’s target of December 31, 2027, in July 2025.

Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer Dejan Kastelic previously told TechCentral that South Africa could be ready to switch off 3G within 12 to 24 months. However, he noted that operators must agree on a common date, as no single provider wishes to go first and potentially lose its 3G customers to competitors.

Kastelic has also urged the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to make spectrum reserved for the abandoned wholesale open-access network available to operators for satellite-to-phone services. He recommended that this spectrum be priced below its value for conventional mobile use.

Competition in the sector is intensifying. In March 2025, MTN announced it had completed South Africa’s first satellite direct-to-mobile test call in partnership with Lynk Global. Meanwhile, Airtel Africa launched a commercial Starlink Mobile service in the DRC in August, offering text messaging and light data services such as WhatsApp, though not voice calls.

Joosub confirmed that Starlink is conducting direct-to-mobile trials across Africa. The Vodacom CEO’s comments underscore the operator’s readiness to adapt its infrastructure to support satellite connectivity, provided the necessary regulatory and competitive frameworks are established.

G.Fung--ThChM