A major development in telecommunications has been announced as Airtel Africa Plc and SpaceX’s Starlink unveiled a groundbreaking satellite-to-phone service that will be deployed in Nigeria and thirteen other African countries. The partnership aims to transform mobile connectivity across the continent by enabling compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites without relying on traditional ground-based mobile towers. The service is expected to launch in 2026, initially supporting text messaging and selected data applications while laying the foundation for future high-speed connectivity for voice and broadband services.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Airtel Africa said the service, known as Starlink Direct-to-Cell, will be rolled out across its 14 markets, where it serves approximately 174 million customers. The company said the technology will help close the digital divide by providing connectivity in rural, remote, and underserved regions where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
Under the agreement, Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity will allow smartphones to communicate directly with satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit, effectively bypassing the need for local mobile network towers. For users, this means that in areas without conventional mobile network coverage, residents and businesses will still be able to send text messages and access selected data services on compatible handsets. Airtel and Starlink have also committed to introducing next-generation satellites that will support higher-speed broadband connectivity, which could be up to twenty times faster than current satellite solutions once deployed and approved by regulators in the participating countries.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the partnership underscores the company’s commitment to deliver reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity across its markets and to improve the experience of all customers by extending network reach beyond the limitations of terrestrial infrastructure. He described the collaboration as setting a new standard for service availability across Africa’s most challenging geographies.
Starlink Vice President of Sales Stephanie Bednarek emphasised that for many people across Africa, this service will make it possible to remain connected even in the most remote locations where traditional mobile coverage is non-existent or unreliable. She said the technology will provide access to essential services that depend on communication and data connectivity and that the partnership will deliver life-changing benefits.
The journey to this moment builds on years of innovation in satellite internet and direct-to-mobile technology. SpaceX’s Starlink constellation has been steadily expanding since its first satellites were launched in 2019 and now consists of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites designed to blanket the world with broadband internet coverage. This expansion has positioned Starlink as a significant player in global connectivity efforts, particularly in regions where traditional infrastructure is difficult to deploy.
In 2025, Starlink began testing direct-to-mobile technology, which allows satellites to essentially function as mobile towers in space, enabling text messaging and basic data connectivity without local ground stations. The technology is still evolving and has initially been focused on low-bandwidth use cases, such as emergency texting and limited internet applications, with the potential for voice and video services as the network and compatible devices mature.
Europe has already seen early adoption of this technology through Kyivstar’s deployment of Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service in Ukraine, providing crucial connectivity in areas where infrastructure was disrupted by conflict.
Nigeria has one of the most dynamic telecommunications markets in Africa, with a mix of mobile network operators and internet service providers. In recent years, Starlink has established a notable presence in the country primarily as a satellite internet service provider competing with local fixed-line and wireless broadband services. At times, the company has faced challenges related to capacity demand in some areas, such as Lagos and Abuja, reaching service capacity and placing new customers on waitlists pending expansion of network resources.
Despite these challenges, the demand for satellite broadband in Nigeria has demonstrated the appetite for alternative connectivity solutions, particularly in areas where existing networks fail to deliver consistent performance. Prior initiatives, including partnerships between satellite systems and mobile network operators have illustrated the value of integrating satellite backhaul solutions to enhance rural coverage and boost network capacity at remote base stations.
The introduction of a direct-to-phone satellite service represents a significant advancement beyond these earlier initiatives by enabling end-users to connect directly with satellites without reliance on ground-based station infrastructure. This opens opportunities for mobile communication in regions previously considered too remote or expensive to serve using conventional technology.
Samuel Aina