Airtel, Starlink to Launch Satellite Service

 Airtel Africa has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 African markets, including Nigeria, aiming to expand mobile coverage to areas lacking traditional network infrastructure.

The service, set to launch in 2026, will initially support text messaging and limited data for selected applications, with high-speed broadband capabilities to follow in a later phase, subject to regulatory approvals in each country.

Direct-to-Cell technology allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing mobile towers and reaching regions where terrestrial network deployment is challenging. Airtel Africa serves approximately 174 million customers across its markets, with 59 million in Nigeria alone, where the company holds a 33.7 percent market share. This makes Airtel Africa the first mobile operator on the continent to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell service, powered by a constellation of more than 650 low-Earth orbit satellites capable of delivering voice, data, video, and messaging to devices in coverage gaps.

Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to providing reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity, especially in underserved and rural areas. He described the collaboration with Starlink as a step toward establishing a new standard for service availability across all 14 markets. Stephanie Bednarek, Starlink Vice President of Sales, said the service would allow people across Africa to remain connected even in remote regions, adding that the next-generation technology will deliver high-speed broadband and faster access to essential digital services.

The rollout will begin with text messaging and limited data for compatible smartphones, with the broadband phase expected to enhance data speeds by up to 20 times. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service is already operational in parts of the United States and Ukraine, where it supports messaging and, in some areas, voice and data services. Airtel Africa and Starlink plan to explore further collaborations to advance digital inclusion across the continent and reduce the digital divide.

This development positions Nigeria and other African markets to benefit from satellite-based mobile connectivity, ensuring seamless access even where traditional infrastructure is unavailable.