The network, called TeraWave, will place 5,408 satellites into orbit starting from the fourth quarter of 2027.

Unlike consumer-focused services, Blue Origin says this system is built for governments, data centres and large organisations that need to move large amounts of data reliably and at speed. 

At full capacity, the company claims TeraWave could deliver data rates of up to six terabits per second anywhere on Earth, using optical links between satellites.

The focus is changing from basic broadband to infrastructure that could underpin global computing, national security systems and enterprise operations. Blue Origin says TeraWave is “optimised for enterprise, data centre, and government customers” and could serve up to 100,000 clients worldwide.

This inevitably strengthens Bezos’ competition with Musk. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is far ahead in scale. By late 2025, it had deployed about 9,300 satellites and built a global user base of more than nine million people across over 155 markets. 

Its model targets households, airlines, ships and businesses, offering typical speeds of 50 to 200 Mbps with low latency.

Elon Musk was quick to respond online, writing on X that “Starlink space to ground laser links will exceed this,” in reference to the speeds Blue Origin is advertising. 

SpaceX has also been pressing regulators to treat satellite systems as essential infrastructure for future wireless networks, showing that it wants formal recognition of Starlink’s strategic role.

What makes TeraWave different is that Blue Origin is building the network as a backbone for future computing needs, including the possibility of data centres operating beyond Earth. 

Musk has openly discussed similar ideas. Commenting last year on the prospect of space-based data centres, he said, “simply scaling up Starlink V3 satellites, which have high-speed laser links would work,” adding: “SpaceX will be doing this.”

Bezos has revealed a similar long-term view, predicting that data centres could begin moving into space within the next decade or two. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has also weighed in, saying the idea may sound “crazy,” but becomes logical when considering the scale of computing demand ahead.

The announcement also sits alongside Amazon’s rebranded consumer satellite project from Project Kuiper to Leo, with plans for more than 3,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites providing standard broadband. 

In Nigeria, regulators have already cleared Kuiper to operate, granting both Internet Service Provider and International Data Access licences, setting up a direct challenge to Starlink in Africa’s largest telecoms market.

The company will move about 4,400 satellites from roughly 550 kilometres above Earth down to around 480 kilometres over the course of 2026. 

The change affects nearly half of the more than 9,000 Starlink satellites currently in operation and marks one of the largest coordinated orbital shifts ever attempted.

SpaceX says the decision is about risk control. At lower altitudes, failed satellites fall back to Earth much faster, reducing the chance they remain as long-term debris. 

There is also less traffic below 500 kilometres, which lowers the odds of accidental collisions in an increasingly crowded region of space.

Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, said: “Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways,” adding that “the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision.”

This is a response to challenges that have been building for years. In December 2025, one Starlink satellite suffered what SpaceX described as an anomaly at about 418 kilometres in altitude. 

The spacecraft lost contact and dropped rapidly, suggesting an onboard explosion. Debris was created, rare but serious for a company operating at such scale. 

Around the same period, another Starlink satellite narrowly avoided colliding with a Chinese spacecraft, revealing how thin the margins have become.

Space scientists point to the approaching solar minimum, a phase when the Sun is less active. During this period, Earth’s upper atmosphere contracts, reducing drag on satellites. 

Objects in orbit then stay aloft longer unless they are placed lower. By shifting Starlink down now, SpaceX is ensuring its satellites do not linger in space if something fails.

The reconfiguration is being coordinated with the United States Space Command, regulators, and other satellite operators. With thousands of spacecraft adjusting altitude, traffic management becomes urgent. A single miscalculation could trigger a chain reaction.

SpaceX’s place in orbit makes its choices hard to ignore. In 2025 alone, the company carried out more than 160 Falcon 9 launches, with over 120 missions dedicated to expanding Starlink. 

The network now serves about 9.25 million customers across more than 155 countries, including governments and large organisations. No other operator comes close in scale.

Analysts estimate that by 2030, up to 70,000 satellites could be operating in low Earth orbit if current plans hold. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and several national programmes are all adding to the congestion. 

Regulators and scientists warn of a “tragedy of the commons”, where unmanaged growth makes parts of orbit unsafe for everyone, including weather, navigation, and scientific missions.

Yet, while the concept is celebrated, true collaboration in Africa’s digital transformation remains more aspirational than actionable.

Across industries—from telecom operators to governments and financial institutions—there’s a near-universal call to “work together.” But despite years of rhetoric, meaningful cross-sector collaboration remains scarce.

The challenge lies in translating talk into action. Subsea cables spanning continents have been successfully laid—an engineering and financial feat requiring international coordination—yet bottlenecks persist at the national level.

Regulatory red tape, territorial disputes, and fragmented coordination continue to stall progress. Ironically, it’s not the physical infrastructure but these bureaucratic and structural barriers that pose the greatest threat to Africa’s digital future, deepening the digital divide.

The persistent barriers to connectivity

Africa’s digital transformation is still hindered by significant connectivity challenges. Mobile broadband, once a beacon of progress, has slowed noticeably.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 37% of Sub-Saharan Africans had internet access in 2023—a glaring gap in a region where mobile phones are ubiquitous—this lack of access limits opportunities in education, healthcare, financial services, and economic empowerment.

Despite technological advancements, infrastructure gaps remain acute in rural areas, where connectivity is sparse or non-existent. High infrastructure costs—exacerbated by currency fluctuations—compounded by complex licensing and exorbitant right-of-way fees continue to obstruct progress.

National policies often conflict, stalling cross-border initiatives and leaving underserved regions behind. Telecom operators, too, tend to focus on commercially viable areas, leaving vast swathes of the continent disconnected.

Beyond infrastructure, challenges such as digital illiteracy, rising cybersecurity risks, and sluggish financing further complicate the picture.

Funders often adopt a “wait-and-see” approach, delaying the investments necessary for widespread digital transformation. These barriers must be addressed head-on if Africa is to unlock its digital potential.

Overcoming infrastructure and regulatory hurdles

A major impediment to building telecommunications infrastructure in Africa is the fragmented regulatory environment.

Telecom operators must navigate inconsistent and often opaque regulations across countries, driving up costs and delaying deployment.

Even basic processes—like securing permits for fibre optics or cell towers—can be delayed by bureaucratic inefficiencies and competing demands from government officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders.

Governments must address these challenges by enacting policies that incentivise investment, streamline regulations, and foster collaboration. Digital infrastructure is the backbone of modern economies, enabling access to global markets, education, healthcare, and essential services.

Policymakers must prioritise creating enabling environments that simplify licensing, reduce fees, and encourage infrastructure sharing, particularly in underserved areas.

Without a clear vision and proactive policy support, the digital divide will only widen, leaving millions on the wrong side of economic and social opportunities.

Equally important is communicating the broader benefits of digital access. Connectivity isn’t just about faster internet; it is a catalyst for economic growth, improved quality of life, and social inclusion.

Bridging the digital divide must be seen as an economic imperative and a matter of social justice, ensuring all Africans can participate in the digital economy.

Telecom operators also have a key role in raising awareness about the dangers of digital exclusion.

While progress has been made in expanding services, more must be done to highlight the risks of leaving people behind in an increasingly digital world.

Policies that promote infrastructure sharing and improve regulatory coherence can help reduce costs and accelerate deployment.

Encouraging collaboration between governments and telecom operators to share resources—such as towers and fibre networks—can ensure broader coverage and lower infrastructure costs, particularly in rural regions.

Some examples of successful collaboration offer a roadmap. Ghana’s government has promoted open-access fibre networks, reducing redundancy and improving efficiency.

Policies supporting 5G rollout through infrastructure sharing have further accelerated progress. At the just-concluded AfricaTech Festival, Solomon Richardson of Ghana’s National Information Technology Agency shared how the government has worked to ensure that rural areas are included in the digital infrastructure agenda by installing core networks and reducing licensing fees for wholesale networks.

Regional frameworks like those developed by ECOWAS also help address cross-border challenges, such as equipment supply and cable resilience, demonstrating the power of coordinated strategies.

Collaboration for financial inclusion

Financial exclusion remains a major barrier to economic participation, with over 66% of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa unbanked.

The lack of access to documentation, credit services, and physical bank branches disproportionately affects rural populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Telecom companies are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Partnerships with financial institutions have proven transformative, as seen with Kenya’s M-Pesa, which provides savings, credit, and insurance services to millions.

Leveraging mobile money platforms and customer data, telecom operators can extend financial services to the unbanked, fostering economic inclusion.

Scaling such initiatives requires deeper collaboration. For example, telecoms could share mobile usage data with financial institutions to assess creditworthiness, enabling microloans for those without formal credit histories.

By combining resources and expertise, these partnerships can unlock new opportunities for millions of Africans.

Investing in digital infrastructure

Building telecommunications infrastructure remains costly, particularly in sparsely populated or remote regions. The capital-intensive nature of fibre-optic networks, cell towers, and data centres often makes such investments economically unviable in underserved areas.

Innovative solutions like Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks—such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper Project—offer a promising alternative.

These satellites provide high-speed, low-latency internet, bypassing the logistical challenges of traditional infrastructure.

Pragmatism will be key: whether it’s terrestrial networks or satellite solutions, the focus must remain on connecting as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Regulatory coordination is key

Regulatory alignment across countries is vital for effective collaboration. Policymakers should streamline licensing, lower fees, and foster public-private partnerships to break down barriers. For instance, Funke Opeke of MainOne highlighted at the AfricaTech Festival how streamlined regulations can attract investment and drive infrastructure expansion.

Regulators can help catalyse growth and development by creating the right environment.

A stronger digital ecosystem for economic growth

Investing in digital infrastructure doesn’t just enable connectivity; it drives growth across industries.

For instance, the collaboration between MainOne, the Lagos State Government, and the Co-Creation Hub to roll out fiber in the Yaba contributed to Lagos’s emergence as a tech hub, enabling startups like Andela and driving ICT’s contribution to GDP.

Also, education, healthcare, and government services all stand to benefit, improving quality of life and reducing inequalities. Initiatives like telemedicine, online education, and e-governance can be game-changers for underserved populations.

Collaboration is essential for Africa to overcome its connectivity and financial inclusion challenges. Governments, telecom operators, and financial institutions must collaborate to streamline regulations, share infrastructure, and leverage data.

The African digital revolution isn’t just about laying cables—it’s about building partnerships that drive inclusive growth and empower millions.

With the right strategies and collaborations, Africa can bridge the digital divide and emerge as a leader in the global digital economy.

The Gigabit Libraries Network (GLN) recently announced an agreement with the Nigeria National Library to outfit five public libraries as users of SpaceX/ Starlink’s LEO satellite broadband system.

These are the first libraries to have such a connection on the continent.

Working in partnership with the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) to initiate a set of 5 pilot projects in Abuja and Lagos, the library sites will be part of a wider study on capabilities and potential benefits of this innovative and potentially revolutionary communications capability that can reach almost anywhere on the planet.

“In many African communities, the library is the only place to access free and/or cheap Internet. Getting libraries connected to fast, stable and affordable Internet, can be the only link between young people and opportunities; between learning new skills and making the mark for better employment prospects and between access to information that can debunk rumours and falsehoods.”- Nkem Osuigwe, Human Capacity Development & Training Director, African Library and Information Associations & Institutions(AfLIA).

ALSO READ: For the First Time, SpaceX’s Starlink is Operational in Nigeria

Starlink now delivers broadband service in forty-five countries and more nations granting operating permits with Nigeria becoming the first in Africa to see service launched.

Implementation of LEO technology appears to be yielding faster connection speeds with lower latency than traditional geostationary satellite based services, though with outstanding questions of capacity over time as more users participate. “The speed is just amazing in our area! I am excited for my community and especially for the students that need this access for school work!,” says Richelle Montoya, Director, Torreón, NM Library, the world’s first LEO-connected library.

“There are many things to learn about how these new systems can serve towards closing the persistent global digital divide as well as integrate into the wider telecom ecosystem. Being essentially impervious to power and/or internet outages, these space based connectivity systems increase community resilience against extreme weather disaster events,” says Don Means, GLN Director.

Traditional communications infrastructures rely on terrestrial networks of wires and towers extending out from the internet backbone. As that distance increases so do the costs of provision making end user services typically less affordable and therefore less likely to even be built.

“I think connecting libraries as community access hubs for resilience is a good idea, and highly relevant. These communities may not be contributing huge amounts of carbon, but they are the places where it’s growing fastest–and more to the point they’re where people are most suffering the effects.” -Bill McKibben, Climate Activist, Co-founder 350.org.

ALSO READ: Funds, Asset Managers Should Invest in Digital Infrastructure – Tizeti CEO

LEO systems combined with the myriad services of public or community libraries, together respond to the three primary barriers to adoption which inhibit access for some 3 plus billion people worldwide. Those barriers include availability, affordability and usability according to GLN’s “LEO Libraries” overview.

Starlink hardware with 24 months of service has been donated by the company in support of community access at public libraries.

Jackson Labs develops and supplies modules, subsystems and box-level solutions that include front-end receivers, transcoders, rack-mounted equipment, and patented retrofit technology.

Their broad customer base includes armed forces, defense contractors, energy distribution infrastructure, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operators, and 5G service providers.

Jackson Labs’ next-generation M-Code solutions complement and advance VIAVI’s timing and synchronization portfolio at a time when PNT requirements for defense, space, commercial aviation, transportation and telecommunication networks are expanding and becoming increasingly critical.

“As telecommunications, avionics and mission-critical infrastructure adopt next-generation technology, legacy timing and synchronization protocols are no longer sufficient. Jackson Labs is a trusted provider of PNT solutions in these markets, and we look forward to addressing these opportunities together,” said Oleg Khaykin, President and CEO of VIAVI. “With this acquisition, we are continuing to drive operational scale via the addition of advanced technology and high-performance products that address market segments with strong growth and profitability.”

“Being a part of VIAVI will significantly expand Jackson Labs Technologies’ market reach worldwide, and allow us to further deliver world-class solutions for the rapidly developing PNT landscape as it enters a new era,” said Said Jackson, CEO of Jackson Labs Technologies.

DelMorgan & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Jackson Labs in connection with the transaction. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.