AXIAN Telecom and AST SpaceMobile Target D2D Satellite Broadband for Africa
AXIAN Telecom has partnered with AST SpaceMobile to launch direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity across Africa, aiming to extend mobile broadband coverage across regions where terrestrial infrastructure cannot reach.
The agreement will see AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird low Earth orbit satellites integrated with AXIAN’s Yas mobile network operations, enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without additional hardware or specialised applications. The service is designed to support voice, video, data and internet access across remote rural areas, maritime zones and aviation routes.
Under the partnership, AXIAN will handle distribution, regulatory engagement and customer activation across its African markets, while AST SpaceMobile provides the satellite network infrastructure. The companies also plan to develop services for enterprise, IoT and emergency response use cases, positioning satellite connectivity as both a coverage extension and a resilience layer when terrestrial networks fail.
The collaboration aligns with AXIAN’s “Data4All” strategy to expand digital access across its footprint, and reflects the growing role of direct-to-device satellite technology in addressing connectivity gaps across large and geographically diverse regions.