AXIAN Telecom has announced a strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile to introduce Africa’s first direct-to-device (D2D) space-based mobile broadband service.
The agreement will see the two companies collaborate to provide voice, video, data and internet connectivity directly to standard mobile devices in remote and underserved regions. The initiative aims to extend network coverage to rural areas as well as maritime and aviation zones where conventional terrestrial infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
The service will rely on AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites operating in low Earth orbit. These satellites are designed to deliver 4G LTE and 5G broadband connectivity directly to unmodified smartphones, eliminating the need for specialised hardware or additional applications.
Under the partnership, the satellite network will be integrated into the core infrastructure of AXIAN Telecom’s pan-African telecom brand Yas across its operating markets. The collaboration will also include the development of commercial services for consumers, enterprises, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, maritime and aviation sectors, as well as emergency response use cases. Yas will oversee local distribution, regulatory coordination and customer activation, including a one-click SpaceMobile service.
The initiative supports Yas’ Data4All strategy, which focuses on expanding high-quality connectivity to individuals and businesses across its markets. The companies said the partnership will also strengthen communication resilience by ensuring connectivity for emergency services in situations where terrestrial networks are disrupted.
Speaking on the announcement, Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said: “Our ambition has always been to build a network that works for everyone in Africa, not just those in cities. Connectivity is the foundation on which everything else is built, and there are still too many people and businesses across our markets who are cut off from it. Partnering with AST SpaceMobile gives us the ability to close that gap in a way that was not possible before. Their technology is genuinely different: it works with the phones people already own, which means we can reach underserved communities without asking them to do anything differently. For Yas, this is the next step in making our pan-African network one that truly has no limits.”
Scott Wisniewski, AST SpaceMobile President, added: “Africa is a critical part of the global connectivity landscape. Together with Yas, we are bringing space-based cellular broadband to people and communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure, directly to standard smartphones. This partnership advances our mission to connect the unconnected worldwide and extends the reach of our network across the African continent.”
The partnership includes integrating AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network with Yas core systems, coordinating spectrum usage, securing regulatory approvals across Yas markets, and enabling one-click activation of SpaceMobile services for customers.
The service is compatible with evolving 5G and IoT standards and will be made available to customers following regulatory approvals in each market.
