Lynk Global, a LEO satellite provider, has applied to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to conduct an S-Band trial in South Africa. The company is seeking a 60-day special temporary authorisation (STA) beginning on September 22, 2025, to operate feeder links in the S-Band. The trial will be supported through a ground station located at Pretoria’s Kitty Hawk Aerodrome and is intended to demonstrate direct-to-device satellite voice services in collaboration with a mobile network operator.
The test will employ frequencies in the 2025–2110 MHz range for uplink transmissions and 2200–2290 MHz for downlink. By using these feeder links, Lynk aims to validate the reliability of satellite-based voice calling through its low-Earth orbit constellation, connecting standard mobile handsets without the need for additional hardware. This approach has already been trialled, including a notable demonstration with MTN earlier this year that enabled Africa’s first satellite voice call using an ordinary smartphone.
Spectrum Coordination and Regulatory Considerations
One potential concern is that the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) already uses parts of the S-Band for its space missions. For this reason, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has stipulated that long-term use at the Pretoria site would require duty cycle limits to protect SANSA’s operations. However, for the duration of this temporary trial, NASA has permitted a 100 % duty cycle.
Although limited in scope, the Pretoria trial underscores Lynk’s approach of combining regulatory clearances with technical validation to advance direct-to-device (D2D) services. The FCC request builds on a March 2025 demonstration conducted with MTN South Africa, during which the two companies achieved Africa’s first satellite-to-mobile voice call in the North West Province. MTN chief executive Charles Molapisi described the achievement as a “proof of concept” for employing low-Earth orbit satellites to extend connectivity to underserved rural areas.
For Lynk, the S-Band Special Temporary Authorisation (STA) marks a modest yet significant progression. While not intended as a commercial launch, the trial is designed to test whether feeder links can sustain voice connectivity under operational conditions, while also addressing the spectrum coordination challenges inherent in a crowded frequency band.
By Samuel Nyangi Space in Africa
