Airtel Africa teams up with Starlink to launch direct-to-cell service in 14 markets

Airtel Africa said on Tuesday it has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite technology to all its 14 markets.

The satellite-to-mobile service will begin across Africa in 2026, with data for select applications and text messaging, Airtel Africa said in a statement. Airtel Africa customers with compatible smartphones in regions without terrestrial coverage will have network connectivity through Starlink.

The deal also includes “support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct to Cell system, with next-generation satellites that will be capable of providing high-speed connectivity to smartphones with 20x improved data speed,” Airtel Africa said.

Last month, Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, became the first in Europe to launch Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite technology in a bid to keep millions connected amid wartime blackouts and disrupted infrastructure.

Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service offers universal mobile coverage by letting unmodified smartphones connect directly to satellites, eliminating dead zones in remote areas, oceans, and during disasters, working like space-based cell towers that relay signals via partner networks for text, voice, and eventually high-speed data, providing true global connectivity for ordinary phones without extra hardware. 

When operational in 2026, Airtel subscribers will be able connect in remote regions, oceans, and disaster zones where traditional towers don’t exist, bridging crucial connectivity gaps.

Subscribers to the network will not have need for specialized apps or satellite hardware as Satellites equipped with specialized modems (eNodeB) function as cell towers, using existing 4G frequencies to communicate with phones.

Phones will automatically find and connect to these orbiting satellites when terrestrial service is unavailable. It is excellent for adventurers and critical for IoT devices in agriculture or remote monitoring needing constant data. Covers nearly 95% of the Earth’s landmass, creating a global mobile backbone. Reuters with additional report