Overview:
The two companies announced the agreement on March 4 in Barcelona, unveiling plans to deploy a space-based broadband network that will connect ordinary mobile phones to satellites in low Earth orbit
Ugandans living in remote and hard-to-reach areas may soon be able to access mobile internet and voice services directly on their smartphones through a satellite-based cellular network, following a new partnership between AXIAN Telecom and AST SpaceMobile.
The two companies announced the agreement on March 4 in Barcelona, unveiling plans to deploy a space-based broadband network that will connect ordinary mobile phones to satellites in low Earth orbit. The technology is expected to expand connectivity across several African countries, including Uganda, where network coverage remains limited in many rural regions.
Unlike traditional satellite communication systems that require specialised equipment, the new service is designed to connect directly to standard smartphones. AST SpaceMobile will use its BlueBird satellite constellation to deliver 4G LTE and 5G broadband services without the need for additional hardware or dedicated applications.
The satellite network will work alongside the infrastructure of Yas, the mobile brand operated by AXIAN Telecom across several African markets. By integrating the space-based system with existing mobile networks, users will be able to make voice calls, access data services, stream video, and use the internet even in areas where conventional telecom towers are unavailable.
The companies say the technology could significantly improve connectivity in rural communities, maritime zones, aviation routes, and other regions that are difficult or expensive to reach using ground-based telecommunications infrastructure.
AXIAN Telecom Chief Executive Officer Hassan Jaber said the partnership is aimed at closing persistent connectivity gaps across the continent.
“Our ambition has always been to build a network that works for everyone in Africa, not just those in cities,” Jaber said. “Connectivity is the foundation on which everything else is built, and there are still too many people and businesses across our markets who remain cut off from it.”
According to Jaber, one of the key advantages of the system is that it allows telecom providers to extend coverage using the mobile phones people already own, removing the need for consumers to purchase new devices.
Beyond individual users, the companies plan to develop commercial services targeting businesses, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, maritime and aviation industries, and emergency response operations where reliable communication is critical.
Under the arrangement, Yas will handle local distribution of the service, regulatory coordination, and customer activation through what the company describes as a “one-click SpaceMobile connection”.
The initiative is part of AXIAN Telecom’s broader Data4All strategy, which focuses on expanding digital access and strengthening network resilience across its markets. The company says satellite connectivity could also play an important role during disasters or emergencies when ground-based communication infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.
However, the satellite-to-phone service will only be launched in Uganda and other markets after securing regulatory approval from national authorities and completing spectrum coordination requirements.
AXIAN Telecom currently operates telecommunications services in 11 African markets, including Tanzania, Madagascar, Senegal, Togo, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its Yas brand serves more than 43 million customers across the continent.
If implemented, the new satellite network could help bridge the connectivity gap in Uganda’s rural areas, where building and maintaining telecom towers is often costly and technically challenging. By linking smartphones directly to satellites, telecom operators hope to extend mobile coverage to communities that have long remained outside the reach of traditional networks.