Lynk’s laboratory. Photo: Lynk

Lynk Global has started initial satellite-to-cell service in Papua New Guinea with the country’s state-owned telecoms company Telikom Limited. 

The initial service will begin with SMS and is expected to expand in the future to include voice and mobile broadband, and to provide life-saving emergency alerts and SMS warnings for natural disasters. Telikom Limited said the service will start in the country’s Hela Province. 

“Today’s announcement will, over time, be instrumental in improving the lives of Papuans right across our nation. Lynk’s network deployment will enable continuous mobile coverage, surpassing the limitations of traditional terrestrial mobile towers. The initial service will extend in 2024 and beyond, allowing Telikom to better serve new and existing subscribers,” commented Amos Tepi, CEO of Telikom. 

Lynk’s initial services have been focused in the Oceania region, including the Palau island nation with mobile network operator PNCC; and with Bmobile in the Solomon Islands.  

Lynk has plans to go public through a special purpose acquisition (SPAC) merger with Slam Corp., led by baseball star Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez. Lynk and Slam Corp announced a non-binding letter of intent in December. Yet after the announcement, a number of Slam shareholders opted to redeem their shares, pulling $176 million out of the blank check company’s funds, according to SEC filings.