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Satellite-to-Phone Connectivity to Expand Mobile Coverage in Nigeria, Rural Africa
Airtel Africa has entered a landmark partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across 14 African countries, including Nigeria, beginning in 2026. The collaboration aims to extend mobile network coverage to remote and underserved areas. Areas across the continent where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is difficult or impossible to deploy.
RELATED: Starlink remains market leader in Sub-Saharan Africa
Under the agreement, Airtel Africa will launch satellite-enabled mobile services for standard smartphones. This technology bypasses mobile towers by connecting devices directly to low-Earth orbit satellites.
How Starlink Direct-to-Cell Works
Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology enables compatible smartphones to connect straight to satellites in orbit. This provides mobile connectivity in areas with no terrestrial network coverage.
According to Airtel Africa, the initial phase of the rollout will support text messaging and limited data services for selected applications. Voice and broader data capabilities are expected in subsequent phases.
A later deployment phase will also introduce high-speed broadband services via next-generation satellites, capable of delivering data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite systems. All deployments remain subject to regulatory approvals in each operating market.
Airtel Africa: Complementing Terrestrial Networks, Closing the Digital Divide
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the partnership reinforces the company’s commitment to improving service availability and digital inclusion across the continent.
“Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering a great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions,” Taldar said.
He explained that Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements Airtel’s existing terrestrial infrastructure and enables coverage in regions where building conventional networks is challenging.
“We are very excited about this collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets,” he added.
First Mobile Operator in Africa to Adopt Direct-to-Cell Technology
With approximately 174 million customers across its African footprint, Airtel Africa becomes the first mobile network operator on the continent to adopt Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite technology.
The company said the initiative will help bridge Africa’s digital divide, ensuring that rural communities and remote populations gain reliable access to communication services critical for education, healthcare, emergency response, commerce and financial inclusion.
Starlink: Life-Changing Connectivity for Remote Communities
Starlink Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, described the agreement as a transformative step for connectivity across Africa.
“For the first time, people across Africa will be able to stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach,” she said.
“Through this agreement with Airtel Africa, we will also deliver our next-generation technology to offer high-speed broadband connectivity, providing faster access to many essential services.”
Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell network is supported by the world’s largest low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, comprising more than 650 satellites, capable of delivering data, voice, video and messaging in mobile dead zones.
Global Momentum for Direct-to-Cell Services
Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service is already operational in select global markets. In the United States, commercial service is live through a partnership with T-Mobile. This enables compatible devices to send text messages and receive emergency alerts outside terrestrial coverage.
In Ukraine, telecom operator Kyivstar has launched Direct-to-Cell services across large parts of the country. The operations initially supports SMS, but there are plans to expand to voice and data. Ukraine became the first European country to offer the service to regular 4G users.
Key Highlights of the Airtel Africa–SpaceX Partnership
- Objective: Extend mobile coverage to remote and rural areas
- Technology: Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite-to-smartphone connectivity
- Rollout Timeline: Initial services in 2026, with advanced broadband in later phases
- Regulatory Status: Subject to approvals in each country
- Impact: Expanded digital access for underserved communities
- Network Strategy: Complements existing terrestrial infrastructure
