Airtel Africa to Roll Out Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellite Connectivity in Africa
Airtel Africa has signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 African operating markets, including Nigeria.
The company disclosed the development in a statement released on Tuesday, describing the partnership as a major step toward expanding mobile network access in remote and underserved communities across the continent.
Under the agreement, Airtel Africa customers using compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites in locations without terrestrial mobile coverage. The initiative is expected to significantly extend network reach and improve connectivity for its more than 174 million customers.
Service Launch Timeline and Capabilities
According to Airtel Africa, the satellite-to-mobile service is scheduled to begin rollout in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in each operating countries.
In its initial phase, the service will support:
- Text messaging
- Data services for select applications
The agreement also covers Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, which will leverage next-generation satellites designed to deliver substantially improved performance.
Airtel Africa said the upgraded system is expected to provide data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite-to-mobile solutions.
What Airtel Africa and Starlink Are Saying
Commenting on the partnership, Airtel Africa Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the collaboration would redefine service availability across the company’s footprint.
“Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions is challenging. We are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets,” Taldar said.
Starlink’s Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, said the agreement would help bridge connectivity gaps in parts of Africa currently beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks.
“For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach,” she said, adding that the next-generation technology would support high-speed broadband access and improve access to essential services.
First African Mobile Operator to Deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell
With the deal, Airtel Africa becomes the first mobile network operator on the continent to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell services.
The solution will be powered by a constellation of approximately 650 satellites, enabling mobile connectivity in areas where conventional network infrastructure is unavailable, impractical, or too costly to deploy.
Both companies emphasised that the satellite service is designed to complement existing terrestrial networks rather than replace them, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach locations.
Driving Digital Inclusion Across Africa
Airtel Africa said it will continue to explore additional collaboration opportunities with SpaceX as part of its broader strategy to deepen digital inclusion across Africa.
The company added that the Starlink Direct-to-Cell initiative aligns with its long-term goal of expanding coverage, improving service availability, and ensuring reliable connectivity for underserved communities across the continent.
