The system has already been deployed in Libya and Cameroon, and the partners are working with five other countries to set up. The GSM unit is likely to be popular in landlocked countries that are yet to access fiber-optic cables.

"Fiber is only good for high-density areas; to run fiber to the village is expensive and unlikely to be self-sustaining -- maintenance costs are likely to bankrupt a company," added Stribos.

The project is expected to be embraced because of the low investments, and Stribos feels that satellite will complement fiber in underserved areas.