Pan-African network operator Paratus Group is expanding its East African footprint through a new cross-border fibre network and newly introduced satellite internet capabilities, according to Uganda Standard. The company plans to present its regional expansion at the ITW Africa conference in Nairobi this month. Central to the operation is the 2,000-kilometre Goma-to-Mombasa terrestrial fibre link, which is expected to provide Ugandan businesses with a new cross-border connectivity option alongside Starlink satellite services.

Paratus Uganda has become the first provider in Uganda to launch Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite service after the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink signed a memorandum of understanding and operational licence agreement on May 15, 2026. The launch targets enterprise customers with high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity and positions Starlink’s LEO service in the country through Paratus Uganda’s rollout.

Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, is scheduled to commence commercial operations in Côte d’Ivoire in July 2026, according to CIO Africa.

Starlink's attempt to establish operations in Namibia has faced a setback as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) rejected the company's appeal against a previous licensing denial. This decision leaves Starlink without a means to enter a key telecom market in southern Africa.

Seacom has announced the launch of a new land-based fibre route that connects Nairobi, Kenya, to Kampala, Uganda, with a passage through Kisumu. This upgrade is expected to enhance the internet infrastructure across East Africa, significantly improving the capacity for internet traffic in the region.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has outlined the requirements for Starlink to enter the South African market. This announcement is part of a broader discussion on recent developments in the region, including a Kenyan court's approval of Safaricom's $1.6 billion sale to Vodacom and Mastercard's establishment of a cybersecurity hub in Africa, as reported by Techpoint Africa.