ABU DHABI, November 10, 2025: Thuraya, a subsidiary of Space42, has launched its next-generation mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4, marking its first commercial rollout in South Africa. The expansion brings the company’s full suite of satellite communication services to the country and strengthens connectivity across key industrial and government sectors.
Thuraya expands African satellite coverage with Thuraya-4 rollout (Stock Image).
The Thuraya-4 satellite deployment broadens national coverage and supports South Africa’s Vision 2030 digital inclusion framework, which aims to improve access to communication networks and enhance the efficiency of strategic industries. The new system complements ongoing national investments in telecommunications and space infrastructure, ensuring continuity and resilience in digital services across urban and remote regions.
Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Commercial Officer of Space42, said Thuraya’s expansion reflects two decades of experience in providing mobile satellite services across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. He said the rollout in South Africa supports the company’s ongoing efforts to deliver secure and reliable connectivity in areas where traditional communication networks face limitations.
The Thuraya-4 satellite is designed to meet the needs of sectors where connectivity is critical, including energy, mining, maritime, government, and humanitarian operations. Its advanced technical architecture extends communication networks to geographically challenging and high-risk areas, ensuring reliable communications for industries vital to South Africa’s economy.
Space42 drives satellite innovation across the continent
In collaboration with national regulators and industry partners, Thuraya’s market entry follows all required compliance and operational standards. The system enhances communications infrastructure across public and private sectors, supporting applications that require uninterrupted network access for monitoring, logistics, and field operations.
Thuraya-4 features an advanced L-band payload and a software-defined architecture that allows for dynamic bandwidth and power allocation. The satellite can adapt coverage intelligently and integrate seamlessly with terrestrial networks, maintaining uninterrupted service even in adverse weather or isolated environments. This combination of mobility and endurance allows it to deliver stable communications for mission-critical use.
The entry into South Africa forms part of Space42’s broader initiative to expand digital connectivity and geospatial infrastructure across the African continent. The company has been active in several African markets, including Zimbabwe, where it has connected more than 1,000 schools and 500 healthcare facilities. Plans are underway to extend coverage to an additional 2,500 schools, reaching nearly 1.9 million students.
Satellite communications bridge infrastructure gaps
In Rwanda, Space42’s subsidiary, Mira Aerospace, achieved a milestone in connectivity by conducting the world’s first 5G video call from a fixed-wing High-Altitude Platform Station. The demonstration highlighted how high-altitude systems can extend broadband access in regions where conventional terrestrial or satellite networks are limited. In South Africa, Space42 also provides broadband services through YahClick, offering reliable coverage for both commercial and residential users.
The company’s network supports the nation’s goals to enhance digital participation and enable business continuity through high-speed, resilient connectivity solutions. Through the Map Africa Initiative, Space42 is collaborating with Microsoft and Esri to develop the continent’s most comprehensive satellite-based mapping platform. The project integrates satellite imagery and artificial intelligence analytics to support infrastructure planning, environmental management, and climate-resilient development in coordination with regional and national institutions.
Thuraya’s commercial rollout of Thuraya-4 in South Africa marks a key milestone in expanding advanced satellite communication capabilities across Africa. The system enhances national coverage, strengthens digital inclusion, and reinforces operational resilience in sectors critical to the continent’s economic and social development. – By Content Syndication Services.