By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Africa's biggest mobile

operator MTN is exploring partnerships with

low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers to bring internet

connection to rural and remote customers in particular, Group

CEO Ralph Mupita said on Monday.

Satellite-internet has become an alternative connectivity

solution across Africa with the popularity of providers such as

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

LEO satellites provide high-speed internet even in areas

where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure such as

fibre and mobile broadband is difficult and expensive to deploy.

"To keep customers and businesses connected at all times,

we're going to have to embrace satellite as an additional

technology form," Mupita said in a media call.

He said South Africa-based MTN was carrying out proof of

concepts with a number of LEO satellite operators for possible

partnerships.

"We are exploring several, and actually some of them we're

happy to be resellers through our enterprise business to some of

our customers in specific countries," Mupita said.

MTN is not alone in seeking out partnership agreements.

Smaller rival Cell C is doing the same.

South Africa's biggest operator Vodacom, majority

owned by Britain's Vodafone ( VOD ), announced a partnership

with Amazon's ( AMZN ) Project Kuiper LEO satellite last year.

"We're very aware of the challenges of having to compete as

a fixed and wireless operator with LEO satellites over time, so

we're arranging ourselves to be able to sure proof our

businesses in our key markets," Mupita said.

Starlink operates in several African countries but has faced

regulatory challenges in others, including South Africa, and

resistance from state telecoms companies.

South African regulator ICASA is currently working on the

regulatory and licensing framework for satellite-internet

providers to provide clear rules for operators.

"LEO operators should be treated the same as terrestrial

operators such as ourselves, subjected to the same regulatory

requirements whether it's around data privacy, data transport,

localization and access to spectrum," Mupita said.

"Our ask is that there just be a level playing ground."