Internet connectivity: Mauritania opens up to satellite service providers
January 27th 2026
Satellite solutions are increasingly favored to expand internet access and reduce the digital divide across the continent. In Mauritania, approximately 63% of the population did not use the internet in 2023 (ITU).
Mauritania is banking on satellite connectivity to expand internet access across its entire territory. The Regulatory Authority (ARE) announced on Thursday, January 22nd, the launch of an international tender for the awarding of licenses for the provision of mobile electronic communications services via satellite and/or the sale of satellite capacity.
The telecoms regulator plans to award two batches of licenses. The first is for companies exclusively operating satellite systems in geostationary orbit (GEO) for the direct provision of retail services to the public. The second batch concerns the sale of satellite capacity to operators or public or private entities, without the direct provision of services to the public .
This initiative comes as more and more African countries are showing interest in satellite technologies, particularly to bridge the digital divide. The GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) believes that aerial connectivity solutions, including satellite, will play a significant role in achieving universal connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa.
“ The region is home to some of the most challenging terrain for terrestrial networks, including rainforests, deserts and mountain ranges. Even in rural and sparsely populated areas, the cost and complexity of deploying traditional mobile or wired networks argue in favor of alternative connectivity solutions ,” the organization emphasizes in its report “The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2024.”
According to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2G network coverage reached 97% of the Mauritanian population in 2023. 3G and 4G networks covered 43.9% and 34.7% of the population respectively in 2022. In terms of usage, the internet penetration rate in Mauritania was estimated at 37.4% of the population in 2023. The internet market is currently dominated by the telecom operators Chinguitel, Mattel, and Moov Mauritel.
Furthermore, the Mauritanian authorities are exerting constant pressure on telecom operators to guarantee satisfactory service quality and extensive coverage, particularly along major roads, in accordance with the specifications. Coercive measures, such as formal notices and sanctions, are regularly taken against operators who violate these terms.
At this stage, the regulator does not authorize low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service providers to directly offer services to the public. These companies are experiencing strong growth on the continent, with names like Starlink and Amazon, even though the latter has not yet launched its commercial services. These operators will, however, be able to apply for the necessary authorizations in due course. Starlink, for example, plans to launch its services in Mauritania in 2026.
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