Telkom has announced that the Southern Africa Telecommunications Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) 2026 will take place from 11 to 14 October 2026 at Champagne Sports Resort in the Central Drakensberg near Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal.

Held under the theme “AI as the Last Mile: Building the Sustainable Digital Enterprise,” the conference will bring together leaders from telecommunications, technology, academia, research, government and the broader innovation ecosystem to examine how artificial intelligence can move beyond experimentation and pilot projects to deliver practical, sustainable value for businesses, institutions, communities and society.

The theme reflects an important evolution in the AI conversation. The question is no longer whether AI has transformative potential, but what is required to integrate and scale it responsibly. The AI last mile is where technological capability meets real-world application, supported by the networks, cloud platforms, data, cybersecurity, skills, governance and partnerships that enable organisations to use AI effectively and sustainably.

“AI is already reshaping how businesses operate, how governments deliver services and how communities access opportunities. Realising its full potential, however, will depend on the strength of the digital ecosystem around it, from infrastructure and skills to responsible governance and collaboration,” said Sello Mmakau, Group Chief Digital Officer at Telkom Group.

Since 1997, SATNAC has provided a platform for industry experts to exchange knowledge, researchers to present and publish their work, and students and young professionals to engage with the technologies and practitioners shaping the sector. Its distinctive value lies in connecting academic research with real-world industry applications, while enabling established leaders and emerging talent to contribute to the same conversation.

For Telkom, hosting SATNAC reinforces its role in enabling South Africa’s digital future and convening the industry, research and innovation ecosystem needed to advance AI, telecommunications and digital transformation.

Research and practical innovation remain central to SATNAC, creating opportunities for emerging ideas to be shared, challenged and connected with the real requirements of the telecommunications and technology sectors.

“SATNAC plays an important role in creating a bridge between research, innovation and practical application. By bringing together academia, industry and emerging talent, we can ensure that new technologies and ideas are not only explored, but translated into solutions that respond to real societal and business needs,” said Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Group Executive: Innovation and Transformation at Telkom Group.

The Telkom Centres of Excellence programme will once again be a key feature of the conference, bringing together Telkom, academia, industry and government to advance ICT research, skills development and innovation. The SATNAC 2026 Call for Papers closed on 16 August, following an invitation to researchers and contributors to submit work and ideas for this year’s programme.

Hosting SATNAC in KwaZulu-Natal also provides a regional perspective on how AI and digital technologies can support education, healthcare, public-service delivery, enterprise growth and digital inclusion beyond South Africa's major metropolitan centres.

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in organisations and economies, SATNAC 2026 will provide a platform for the conversations, research and partnerships needed to ensure its adoption is responsible, inclusive and sustainable.