Airtel Africa has taken a major step toward addressing long-standing connectivity challenges in sub-Saharan Africa by successfully testing SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile direct-to-cell (D2C) service in areas of Kenya with no terrestrial mobile coverage.
The trials were conducted in remote locations where conventional cell towers cannot reach, demonstrating the potential of satellite technology to bring reliable mobile connectivity to underserved communities.
During the trial, standard 4G-compatible smartphones connected seamlessly to Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation. Users were able to access light-data services including WhatsApp calls and messaging, navigation apps, Facebook Messenger, and mobile financial transactions through the Airtel app.
This trial represents a critical proof-of-concept for D2C technology, which allows mobile users to bypass traditional network infrastructure entirely.
The testing in Kenya builds on a partnership Airtel Africa established last year with SpaceX’s Starlink, aimed at deploying D2C technology across its 14 African markets starting in 2026. Direct-to-cell technology is designed to serve areas where geography, dense infrastructure, or regulatory limitations make conventional connectivity difficult. Such locations include remote villages, maritime routes, and flight corridors—places where fiber-optic networks and traditional cellular coverage are often unavailable.
Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, highlighted the significance of the trial. “We are thrilled to move from announcement to actionable steps with our partners at SpaceX. This testing phase in Kenya is a testament to our commitment to expanding access. By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network,” he said.
Taldar added that insights from the Kenya trial will inform broader deployment across Airtel Africa’s footprint, pending regulatory approvals.
Looking ahead, Airtel Africa plans to expand the service to include voice calls and enhanced data capabilities, leveraging upgraded Starlink technology to deliver broadband directly to mobile devices. The partnership aims to enable customers with compatible smartphones to connect to Starlink satellites in areas where terrestrial networks are absent, substantially increasing access to mobile services in remote and underserved locations.
The initiative comes amid persistent connectivity challenges across Africa, which limit access to digital services and constrain economic participation. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 38 percent of Africa’s population is online, compared with a global average of 68 percent. While mobile broadband coverage reaches roughly 86 percent of the continent, gaps remain, particularly in rural areas where as many as one in four people remain unserved, and many others rely on slower 3G networks.
