Cape Town – Cell C is in discussions with SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon Leo over potential partnerships that could expand its network coverage, including in rural and underserved areas, as the telecommunications company explores satellite-based connectivity.
The operator is considering both the resale of satellite broadband services and potential direct-to-device connectivity, according to reports.
Cell C confirmed to MyBroadband that it is engaging with satellite operators as it assesses opportunities to extend connectivity beyond traditional terrestrial networks.
“We continue to engage with a range of industry participants, including LEO satellite providers, as part of our ongoing assessment of future connectivity opportunities,” the report quoted the company as saying.
TechCentral reported that Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes confirmed the company was in talks with both Starlink and Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper.
Mendes said the discussions covered both the resale of satellite broadband products and the possibility of connecting devices directly through satellite networks.
Technologies
“We could resell their products. We could unlock potentially a direct-to-device proposition with them,” Mendes said.
He said the discussions were aimed at determining which technologies would be best suited to different customer groups and geographic coverage requirements.
“We’re in discussions with Starlink. We’re in discussions with Amazon. We’re in discussions with everybody,” Mendes said.
Telecompaper also reported that Cell C is assessing both satellite broadband resale and direct-to-device services as part of efforts to broaden its coverage. The publication said Mendes confirmed that the talks involve both product resale and potential direct-to-device integration.
The move comes as South African mobile operators increasingly explore low-Earth-orbit satellite technology as a way of reaching customers in areas where conventional terrestrial networks are difficult or expensive to deploy.
Cell C currently operates without its own radio access network and relies on infrastructure provided by other mobile operators. TechCentral described Mendes’s strategy as a “network of networks”, with terrestrial and satellite connectivity viewed as complementary rather than competing technologies.
Unlicensed
“It’s good for the consumer, bringing prices down,” Mendes said.
However, the potential partnerships face South Africa’s regulatory environment.
Starlink remains unlicensed to operate directly in South Africa, while Amazon Leo has secured a route into the market through a distribution agreement with Herotel, the Maziv-owned internet service provider.
TechCentral reported that Herotel’s agreement with Amazon Leo is non-exclusive, potentially allowing other partners to work with the satellite operator. Herotel is expected to offer Amazon Leo services in South Africa under the Evry brand from 2027.
Cell C’s discussions place it alongside other major South African operators exploring partnerships with LEO satellite companies. Vodacom and MTN already have arrangements or discussions involving satellite providers for operations in various African markets, MyBroadband said.
For Cell C, the talks point to a broader strategy of combining terrestrial mobile infrastructure with satellite connectivity to improve coverage and reach customers in areas where traditional networks remain limited.
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photo: Facebook/ Cell C
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
