The service combines satellite internet with MTN’s local support, targeting businesses and institutions that struggle to access reliable conventional connectivity.
MTN Uganda has launched a satellite internet service for businesses and institutions operating in remote areas, adding another option for organisations that cannot access reliable mobile or fibre connectivity.
The service, branded MTN Starlink for Business, was unveiled at Libra International School in Zirobwe, where unreliable internet had affected teaching, online research, school administration and communication with parents.
MTN Uganda is an authorised reseller of Starlink products and will provide local implementation, account management and customer support. The service uses Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite technology to extend internet access to locations where conventional network infrastructure is limited or difficult to deploy.
Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda’s chief executive officer, said the partnership would help the company serve businesses operating beyond the reach of traditional connectivity services.
“At MTN, we believe that where you are located should not determine how far you can go. Through our partnership with Starlink, we are combining Low-Earth-Orbit satellite technology with MTN’s local implementation, account management and customer support to serve enterprises in remote, underserved and hard-to-reach areas,” Mulinge said.
She said the satellite service would complement MTN’s existing connectivity products rather than replace them. Organisations will be able to use it as their main internet connection, as a backup for existing services or where a connection needs to be established quickly.
School puts satellite connectivity to the test
Libra International School provided a demonstration of how the service could support an institution whose operations depend on access to digital resources.
William Sekabembe, the school’s director, said its location outside major urban centres had made it difficult to secure a suitable internet connection. Previous attempts to improve connectivity, including the use of signal boosters, had proved expensive without meeting the school’s requirements.
“Connectivity was a major challenge for us because we are an international school focused on using technology to improve learning. We tried different solutions, including boosters, but they were not efficient enough for our needs. The interventions were also expensive,” Sekabembe said.
He said the poor connection had affected classroom activities, online research, communication with parents and access to the school’s digital systems.
The school began testing Starlink through MTN before the commercial launch. Sekabembe said the connection had improved access to online learning resources and made school administration more efficient.
“Ever since we started the proof of concept with Starlink through MTN, it has really been a big milestone for us. The students can do their research much more easily, and communication with parents has improved because now it is just at the click of a button. Our examination and school management systems are also working more efficiently,” he said.
According to Sekabembe, the connection now covers the school campus, including its computer rooms. He described the speed as “fantastic” and the reliability as “top of the range”.
The account reflects the school’s experience with the service, although the material provided does not include independent performance measurements or a comparison of connection speeds before and after the deployment.
Uganda’s satellite internet market
The launch follows Uganda’s approval of Starlink’s entry into the telecommunications market in May 2026.
The Uganda Communications Commission signed a memorandum of understanding and operational licence agreement with Starlink at State House in Entebbe on May 15, in a ceremony witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni. The regulatory framework cleared the way for the satellite internet provider to operate in Uganda.
MTN had announced its partnership with Starlink in August 2026, saying the arrangement would expand connectivity options for enterprise customers in areas where conventional infrastructure was limited or difficult to deploy. The October launch marked the introduction of the service to the market.
The service is intended for organisations across sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, mining, energy, construction and humanitarian operations.
For businesses in these sectors, satellite connectivity can provide access to cloud-based systems, support communication between remote teams and help maintain operations in locations with limited terrestrial network coverage. Its suitability will depend on the organisation’s location, equipment requirements, budget and demand for reliable internet access.
MTN has not publicly disclosed pricing for the service in its launch announcement, leaving the cost of adopting the solution an important consideration for prospective customers.
The company said the launch supports its Ambition 2030 strategy, which focuses on expanding digital solutions across Africa.
MTN Starlink for Business joins the company’s existing mobile, fibre and managed network services, giving enterprise customers another option for connecting offices, facilities and projects in areas where conventional infrastructure may not meet their needs.
