Airtel Africa, SpaceX bring Starlink direct-to-cell to Africa

Airtel Africa has taken a major step towards transforming mobile connectivity on the continent through a landmark partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite services across its 14 African markets

The collaboration positions Airtel Africa as the first mobile network operator in Africa to offer this next-generation satellite-to-mobile technology, extending coverage to areas beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial networks.

The agreement will enable Airtel Africa’s 174 million customers to access mobile connectivity directly via satellite using compatible smartphones, even in remote and underserved regions with no existing network infrastructure. Commercial rollout is expected to begin in 2026, initially supporting data services for selected applications and text messaging, with broader capabilities to follow.

Central to the partnership is Starlink’s advanced Direct-to-Cell broadband system, powered by next-generation satellites designed to deliver dramatically enhanced performance. According to the companies, the technology can provide data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite capabilities. Deployment will be phased and remains subject to regulatory approvals in each individual country.

Approximately 650 low-Earth orbit satellites will support the service, creating a seamless layer of connectivity across vast rural and hard-to-reach areas. This approach addresses one of Africa’s most persistent digital challenges: the high cost and complexity of extending fibre and mobile towers into sparsely populated or geographically difficult regions.

For Airtel Africa, the partnership strengthens its long-term strategy of bridging the digital divide and improving service availability across its footprint. By integrating satellite connectivity with its existing terrestrial networks, the company aims to deliver more reliable, contiguous coverage while supporting digital inclusion, financial services, education, healthcare and enterprise connectivity.

Airtel Africa Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said, “Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements the terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions are challenging. We are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets.”

From SpaceX’s perspective, the agreement marks a significant milestone in bringing satellite-powered mobile broadband to everyday users across Africa. Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Sales at Starlink, said, “For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach, and we’re so thrilled that Starlink Direct to Cell can power this life-changing service. Through this agreement with Airtel Africa, we’ll also deliver our next-generation technology to offer high-speed broadband connectivity, which will offer faster access to many essential services.”

Together, Airtel Africa and SpaceX are positioning satellite-enabled mobile connectivity as a critical pillar of Africa’s digital transformation, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, innovation and inclusive access to essential digital services.