Four different companies are focusing on providing telephone communication to rural cities in Africa.

Portable BGAN (broadband global area network) is a terminal which connects to satellites in 98% of the world to transfer data and voice. The service has been chosen as the answer to defeat difficulties in connectivity in rural areas, and is being used by humanitarian and aid organizations. Portable BGAN is available from US$1000.

A group of telecommunication experts is developing a mesh potato network in South Africa to connect 300 000 people to telephone communication. Dabba, a local company, is working on the service which will provide free voice calls to whoever is inside the internet network amplified by the company, and if users want to call other users in other networks, they will pay fees lower than the ones currently charged by major South Africa operators.

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