South African telecommunications company Cell C is exploring partnerships with two of the biggest names in satellite internet as it looks for new ways to expand connectivity beyond traditional mobile infrastructure.
The operator has confirmed that it is in discussions with SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon Leo, the low-Earth-orbit satellite service formerly known as Project Kuiper. The talks could involve reselling satellite broadband to Cell C customers as well as potential direct-to-device connectivity.
The strategy comes as telecom operators increasingly turn to satellite networks to reach customers in areas where fibre, towers and other terrestrial infrastructure are expensive or difficult to deploy. For Cell C, satellite connectivity could provide another way to extend its coverage footprint, particularly in rural and underserved parts of South Africa.
The company’s interest in both providers is also significant because Starlink and Amazon Leo are taking different approaches to the South African market. Amazon has already secured a partnership with Herotel to bring Leo-powered satellite broadband to homes and small businesses, with a commercial launch expected in 2027.
Starlink, meanwhile, remains unable to offer its services legally in South Africa. The company has faced regulatory challenges linked to the country’s licensing framework and local ownership requirements.
For Cell C, working with satellite operators could therefore offer flexibility. Rather than relying entirely on conventional infrastructure, the company could combine terrestrial mobile services with satellite connectivity to reach customers in locations where network expansion is commercially challenging.
The opportunity is particularly relevant as low-Earth-orbit satellite technology becomes more capable. Unlike traditional geostationary satellite services, LEO networks operate much closer to Earth, allowing them to provide lower latency and higher-performance broadband. Amazon says its Leo network is being developed partly to connect communities that conventional infrastructure cannot easily reach.
Cell C is also entering the satellite conversation at a time when South Africa’s telecom industry is increasingly experimenting with space-based connectivity. Vodacom and MTN are also exploring relationships with satellite providers, including Amazon Leo and other operators, as they seek to improve coverage in remote areas.
The talks do not yet represent a final commercial agreement, but they signal where Cell C sees the future of connectivity heading.
If a deal materialises, customers could eventually have access to a more integrated network combining traditional mobile coverage with satellite broadband and potentially direct-to-device services.
For Cell C, the goal is clear: use partnerships with satellite providers to make its network reach further without having to build every piece of infrastructure itself. As competition in South Africa’s telecom market intensifies, access to the sky could become just as important as access to towers.
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