Airtel Africa has announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across all 14 markets it serves, reaching 174 million customers.
In an announcement on December 17, 2025, Airtel Africa stated that, through this partnership, Airtel Africa customers with compatible smartphones in regions without terrestrial coverage can access network connectivity via Starlink, the world’s largest 4G connectivity provider (by geographic reach).
The satellite-to-mobile service will begin in 2026 with data for select applications and text messaging.
This agreement also includes support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, with next-generation satellites capable of providing high-speed connectivity to smartphones with 20x faster data speeds.
The rollout will proceed in line with country-specific regulatory approvals.
Airtel Africa as African Pioneers
Airtel Africa is the first mobile network operator in Africa to offer Starlink Direct to Cell service, powered by 650 satellites, providing seamless connectivity to customers in remote areas.
The partnership reinforces Airtel Africa’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and offering seamless connectivity to its customers.
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Airtel Africa and Starlink will continue to explore additional collaboration opportunities to advance digital inclusion across the continent further.
Airtel Africa Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, expressed the company’s delight in continuing to develop communication networks on the continent.
“Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements the terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions are challenging. We are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets.”
Starlink Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, also supported the deal, noting that Africa needs such initiatives to keep pace in the current advanced world.
“For the first time, people across Africa will stay connected in remote areas where terrestrial coverage cannot reach, and we’re so thrilled that Starlink Direct to Cell can power this life-changing service. Through this agreement with Airtel Africa, we’ll also deliver our next-generation technology to offer high-speed broadband connectivity, which will offer faster access to many essential services.”
About Airtel Africa
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with operations in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Airtel Africa’s integrated offer provides national and international mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services to 174 million customers.
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The company’s strategy is focused on delivering a great customer experience across the entire footprint and increasing digital and financial inclusion to transform lives across Africa, in line with our corporate purpose.
About Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink Direct to Cell is the world’s only and largest constellation of more than 650 satellites in low-Earth orbit, delivering data, voice, video, and messaging to devices in mobile dead zones.
Connecting more than 11 million customers across five continents and counting, Direct to Cell satellites work with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky.
Acting like a cell phone tower in space, with the most advanced phased-array antennas in the world that connect seamlessly across the Starlink network via lasers to any point on the globe, it enables network integration similar to a standard roaming partner.
Starlink is the world’s largest 4G coverage provider and partners with Mobile Network Operators across the globe.
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An Airtel shop. PHOTO/Airtel Africa Foundation.
