Airtel Africa, one of the continent’s top telecoms service providers, has formed a strategic alliance with SpaceX, the world’s foremost satellite internet manufacturer, to implement Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology across its African network.
The agreement will see Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service extended to all 14 African nations where Airtel Africa operates, marking a significant step towards eliminating connection gaps in locations with inadequate or non-existent terrestrial network infrastructure.
According to Airtel Africa, the service will launch in 2026, first supporting text messaging and data access for certain applications on compatible devices.
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Customers will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites once they are installed, even if they are not within range of typical mobile towers.
By incorporating Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite network into its operations, Airtel Africa hopes to expand mobile coverage to distant and underdeveloped areas that have long been outside the reach of traditional telecom infrastructure.
The move is consistent with the company’s overall objective to increase digital inclusion across the continent.
The arrangement also includes support for Starlink’s first broadband direct-to-cell system, which is based on next-generation satellites designed to provide much higher data speeds for smartphones. According to Airtel Africa, the technology would eventually allow consumers to connect at fast speeds without the need for additional hardware.
In an effort to keep millions of people connected during wartime blackouts and broken infrastructure, Kyivstar, the biggest mobile operator in Ukraine, launched Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite technology last month, becoming the first in Europe to do so, Reuters reports.
Starlink in Africa
The agreement expands Starlink’s presence across Africa. SpaceX’s satellite internet service has accelerated its continental deployment, bringing the total number of African countries having Starlink access to 26.
Globally, Starlink has proved its potential to deliver reliable connectivity during periods of infrastructure disruption, assisting in the maintenance of communications when ground-based networks are unavailable or damaged, an example that has piqued the interest of telecom operators worldwide.
