South African mobile communication company Vodacom Group has signed a deal with Starlink which will see the world’s largest satellite broadband provider deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across Africa and expand network coverage in rural areas.

The integration of Starlink's satellite backhaul into Vodacom's mobile network aims to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, education and innovation across Africa, Vodacom said on Wednesday.

The collaboration will focus on providing connectivity to schools, health centres and remote communities, enabling millions of people to access digital services and information, the group added.

With the deal, Vodacom will also be authorised to resell Starlink equipment and services to corporate and small business customers in Africa, aiming to create localised value propositions that take into account the affordability of the African market.

Vodacom already offers 4G, 5G, fibre, MPLS, microwave and GEO Sat coverage across all African markets, with high-performance Starlink Internet aiming to add further performance to its offering.

The agreement is in line with Vodacom's Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to increase its customer base to 260 million and its financial services customer base to 120 million within five years.

Commenting on the agreement, Vodacom group chief executive Shameel Joosub, said the move accelerates the firm’s mission to connect Africans to the internet.

“Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible, and this partnership will unlock new possibilities for the unconnected,” Joosub added.

Chad Gibbs, vice president of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, said that the company is already serving people, businesses, and organizations in 25 African countries. “

“By collaborating with Vodacom, Starlink can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent,” he continued.

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