MTN Group is advocating greater collaboration between satellite and terrestrial telecommunications operators, arguing that both technologies should complement each other under a ‘same service, same rules’ framework as demand for reliable connectivity expands across Africa.
Ralph Mupita, group president and chief executive officer of MTN Group, who made the call at a meeting with MTN Media Innovation fellows, on Wednesday, in Lagos, said low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite networks could help extend connectivity to underserved areas, while mobile operators continue to invest in fibre and terrestrial infrastructure to support growing data demand.
Mupita said satellite services should complement existing telecommunications networks rather than operate as a separate system with fundamentally different regulatory obligations where comparable services are being provided.
His position comes as satellite internet providers expand their reach, creating new opportunities to connect remote communities and businesses while intensifying competition in the broadband market.
Providers such as Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb use LEO satellites to deliver internet connectivity in locations where deploying terrestrial infrastructure can be difficult or expensive. Satellite links can also provide backup transmission for mobile operators, helping maintain connectivity where fibre links are unavailable or disrupted.
Mupita said MTN uses LEO satellite technology for backup transmission, particularly in rural areas. The approach illustrates how satellite connectivity can support terrestrial networks rather than necessarily replace them.
For countries such as Nigeria, where expanding broadband access requires investment across geographically diverse communities, partnerships between satellite providers and mobile operators could help address gaps in coverage and improve network resilience.
However, Mupita said the growth of satellite connectivity should be accompanied by consistent regulatory requirements. He pointed to obligations relating to privacy, data handling, taxation, regulatory fees and lawful interception as areas that require consideration under the ‘same service, same rules’ principle.
The framework seeks to ensure that providers offering comparable services face appropriate and consistent obligations, regardless of whether their networks rely on satellites or terrestrial infrastructure. The precise requirements would depend on the services offered and the applicable national laws.
The debate is becoming more significant as satellite providers explore direct-to-device connectivity and other services that could bring satellite technology closer to the traditional mobile market. Such developments could expand coverage but also raise questions about spectrum coordination, competition and the responsibilities of operators serving customers in the same market.
For MTN, collaboration between the two technologies could provide a way to extend network reach while maintaining investment in fibre and mobile infrastructure. Satellite links can help connect remote locations, while fibre remains important for carrying large volumes of data and supporting high-capacity networks.
Mupita’s comments also reflect the broader challenge facing African telecommunications markets, which is, expanding access to connectivity without creating regulatory gaps or discouraging investment in infrastructure.
A partnership-led approach could allow satellite and terrestrial operators to combine their respective strengths, provided commercial arrangements and regulatory requirements are clear. For Nigeria, the outcome will depend on how operators, regulators and satellite providers develop arrangements that improve coverage, protect consumers and support sustainable investment.