Satellite Networks

Space42 announces Thuraya’s entry into the South African market

Space42 announces Thuraya’s entry into the South African market

Thuraya, a subsidiary of Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered spacetech company, has announced the commercial rollout of its next-generation mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4, in South Africa.

Space42 says the expansion marks Thuraya’s complete portfolio operational presence in the country. The rollout expands national coverage and strengthens critical communications across essential sectors.

Thuraya-4 strengthens many of South Africa’s most connectivity-dependent industries, including energy, mining, maritime, civil government, and humanitarian operations. It extends communications networks to remote and high-risk areas, and enhances productivity, operational efficiency, safety, and continuity in sectors vital to the country’s economy.

Thuraya says it enters the market in close collaboration with South African regulators and industry partners, ensuring alignment with local connectivity goals and shared digital growth ambitions.

Thuraya-4 is claimed to introduce mobility and reliability beyond the limits of conventional satcom systems. While most networks are built for fixed, high-bandwidth access, Thuraya-4 is designed for mission-critical communications where reach, security, and resilience are essential.

Its advanced L-band payload and software-defined architecture allocate bandwidth and power dynamically, configure coverage intelligently, and support seamless interoperability with terrestrial networks even in adverse weather or isolated regions. This combination of mobility and endurance ensures uninterrupted service for sectors that rely on continuous communication.

Space42 says Thuraya’s expansion into South Africa reflects its broader strategy to extend digital access and strengthen geospatial infrastructure across Africa, notably in Zimbabwe, where Space42 has connected over 1,000 schools and 500 clinics and plans to reach 2,500 more schools serving 1.9 million students.

In Rwanda, meanwhile, its subsidiary Mira Aerospace has conducted the world’s first 5G video call from a fixed-wing high-altitude platform station (HAPS). In addition, through the Map Africa Initiative, which we reported earlier this year, Space42, Microsoft, and Esri are building the continent’s most comprehensive base map using satellite imagery and AI analytics. The programme supports infrastructure planning, resource management, and climate-resilient development in partnership with regional and national institutions.



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