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Vodacom Partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink to Expand High-Speed Internet Across Africa

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Vodacom Group (VODJ.J), South Africa’s largest mobile network operator, has signed a landmark partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband to businesses across Africa, the company announced on Wednesday.

The deal aims to bridge one of the continent’s toughest connectivity challenges — extending reliable internet coverage to remote and rural regions where traditional mobile infrastructure remains costly due to sparse populations and difficult terrain.

Vodacom, which serves more than 223 million customers and is majority-owned by Britain’s Vodafone (VOD.L), said it will integrate Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology into its network to enhance data relay capacity. The agreement also allows Vodacom to resell Starlink’s equipment and services directly to African customers.

“We continue dealing with multiple satellite providers, including Starlink, where Starlink has been licensed, as well as AST SpaceMobile and Amazon Kuiper,” CEO Shameel Joosub told Reuters following the company’s interim results on Monday.

The move underscores a growing trend among African telecom operators to partner with next-generation satellite companies. Rival MTN Group (MTNJ.J) is also exploring similar deals, while Vodafone has already teamed up with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS.O) to strengthen its global connectivity footprint.

By leveraging Starlink’s network of thousands of orbiting satellites, Vodacom aims to deliver faster and more reliable broadband to underserved areas — a critical step in Africa’s digital transformation.

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile to Build Europe-Led Satellite Constellation for Secure Connectivity

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Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile announced plans on Friday to develop a Europe-led satellite constellation designed to provide direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity for both commercial and government applications.

The joint venture will establish its European operational headquarters in Germany, with potential sites near Munich or Hannover under consideration. The new system will serve as a “sovereign satellite solution”, providing secure communications to European mobile network operators, public agencies, and emergency services.

According to the companies, the constellation will feature a “command switch” to ensure European oversight, with built-in encryption and control systems for secure communication and satellite management.

The initiative aims to enhance broadband access and improve disaster relief capabilities across the continent, particularly in underserved regions. Industry analysts estimate the satellite-to-phone connectivity market could surpass $10 billion by 2033, reflecting growing demand for broadband in remote areas.

The announcement follows Elon Musk’s Starlink striking a deal with Veon on Thursday to deliver direct-to-cell connectivity to up to 150 million users across its markets. SpaceX also expanded its U.S. spectrum holdings, signaling intensified competition in the satellite communications sector.

AST SpaceMobile, which currently operates six satellites and plans to expand to 60 by 2026, is positioning itself as Europe’s alternative to U.S.-based Starlink. Vodafone, a major investor in AST, said that operators in 21 EU member states have expressed interest in joining the project, which is slated for commercial launch in 2026.

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said the initiative will provide Europe with secure, sovereign satellite communications that complement terrestrial networks, strengthening the continent’s digital autonomy.

Global space investment hits record $3.5 billion as funding widens beyond SpaceX and OneWeb

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Global space investment soared to a record $3.5 billion in the third quarter, almost doubling last year’s figure, as money flowed into a broader range of startups and defense-related projects, according to a new report from Seraphim Space.

The data marks a shift in the fast-growing industry, with capital now spread across multiple players instead of being dominated by giants such as SpaceX and OneWeb. “We’re seeing a far more diverse set of investable companies, signaling that space has evolved into a broader, more mature market,” said Lucas Bishop, investment associate at Seraphim.

The surge was led by U.S. defense and aerospace firms like Hadrian, Apex, and Hermeus, which raised large rounds focused on advanced manufacturing and hypersonic technologies. In China, Galactic Energy took the top spot with a $336 million raise in September.

Governments are fueling the boom as they expand domestic space and defense initiatives, with the U.S., China, and Europe all channeling funds into satellite networks and orbital infrastructure. The report said this momentum would likely continue into 2026, supported by dual-use technologies bridging civilian and military applications, such as SpaceX’s Starshield and OneWeb’s network expansion.

Publicly traded space firms have also surged. Rocket Lab and Planet Labs have more than doubled their market value in recent months, while AST SpaceMobile has tripled after demonstrating satellite-to-phone broadband connectivity — a milestone for direct-to-device communication.