Overview:

The phased rollout will proceed as country-specific regulatory approvals are granted. Airtel Africa and Starlink said they will continue to explore further opportunities to advance digital inclusion across the continent.

Airtel Africa has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring satellite-to-mobile connectivity to millions of people in some of the most remote parts of the continent.

The agreement will allow customers to connect their smartphones directly to Starlink’s satellites, bypassing the need for traditional mobile towers. It is the first time a mobile network operator in Africa has partnered with the satellite firm for this type of service.

The rollout is expected to begin in 2026 and will initially focus on text messaging and data for specific applications.

Reaching the ‘dead zones’

Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 countries and serves 174 million customers, says the technology will help bridge the digital divide by reaching areas where building physical infrastructure is too difficult or expensive.

The service uses Starlink’s Direct to Cell technology, which effectively acts as a mobile phone tower in space.

Airtel Africa’s chief executive, Sunil Taldar, said the partnership would establish a new standard for service availability.

Starlink’s technology complements our existing infrastructure and reaches areas that are challenging to cover, he said.

A ‘life-changing’ service

The service will be powered by a constellation of 650 satellites in low-Earth orbit. Unlike traditional satellite phones, the system is designed to work with existing LTE-compatible smartphones.

Stephanie Bednarek, vice president of sales at Starlink, described the move as life-changing for people living in isolated communities.

For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach, she said.

The partnership also includes plans to introduce next-generation satellites capable of providing high-speed broadband directly to handsets, with speeds expected to be 20 times faster than current offerings.

The service remains subject to regulatory approval in each of the 14 countries where Airtel operates.

Airtel Africa is a major player in sub-Saharan Africa’s telecommunications and mobile money sectors, while Starlink already provides internet services to more than 11 million customers globally.