Africa is on the verge of a major internet transformation thanks to rapid advancements in satellite technology. Despite global progress, the continent still lags behind in connectivity, with only 38 of its population online in 2024, compared to the global average of 68. Internet access is heavily skewed toward urban areas, where 57 of residents are connected, while just 23 of rural communities enjoy connectivity. Millions of rural Africans remain offline, creating a strong demand for innovative solutions to bridge this digital divide.
Satellite operators are increasingly stepping into this gap. Starlink has moved its Direct to Cell technology from beta to live service, enabling unmodified 4G phones to connect directly to satellites for messaging. The company has also invested 17 billion to secure dedicated mobile-spectrum licenses, positioning itself as a competitor to traditional mobile networks in underserved regions. Although current speeds remain modest, the technology already supports basic communication and shows significant potential for expansion.
High-capacity geostationary satellites are also advancing. ViaSat launched its ViaSat-3 Flight 2 F2 satellite, capable of dynamically directing bandwidth to areas with high demand. Designed to cover Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, F2 offers speeds up to 500 Mbit/s downstream with predictable quality-of-service, making it ideal for enterprises, government institutions, and regions where reliability and regulatory compliance are critical.
