Airtel Africa Starlink deal will extend mobile coverage to underserved areas across 14 markets, including Nigeria, using Direct-to-Cell satellite technology
Airtel Africa Plc on Tuesday announced a strategic agreement with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across all its 14 African markets, including Nigeria, to expand mobile coverage in areas without traditional network infrastructure.
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The Airtel Africa Starlink deal will allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites, removing the need for mobile towers in hard-to-reach locations, according to a statement by the telecom operator.
The service is expected to launch in 2026, beginning with text messaging and limited data access for selected applications, before expanding in phases.
Airtel Africa said the partnership also includes the future deployment of next-generation satellite broadband capable of delivering data speeds up to 20 times faster, subject to regulatory approvals in each operating country.
Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa Plc, said the agreement aligns with the company’s commitment to improve access to reliable and continuous connectivity.
Sunil Taldar said Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements existing terrestrial infrastructure and enables coverage in areas where network deployment remains difficult.
He described the collaboration as a powerful step towards setting a new standard for service availability across Airtel Africa’s markets.
Airtel Africa serves about 174 million customers across 14 countries and said it is the first mobile operator on the continent to adopt Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology.
The company said the initiative will help bridge the digital divide by delivering reliable mobile services to rural and underserved communities.
Starlink Direct-to-Cell operates through the world’s largest low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, with more than 650 satellites providing voice, data, video, and messaging services in mobile dead zones.
Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Sales at Starlink, said the partnership would enable people in remote parts of Africa to remain connected where terrestrial networks cannot reach.
Stephanie Bednarek said the collaboration would also deliver next-generation broadband technology, providing faster access to essential digital services.
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Starlink Direct-to-Cell is already operational in select global markets, including the United States through T-Mobile, and in Ukraine via Kyivstar, with further rollouts planned as partnerships expand.
