Airtel Africa, SpaceX Partner to Launch Starlink Direct-to-Cell

After the recent discovery regarding SpaceX and Canada, where it had launched Starlink Cellular Service with App Support, Airtel Africa decided to consider this approach with a partnership deal with SpaceX.

In this deal approach between the two companies (Airtel Africa & SpaceX), Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite access would be available in all 14 of Airtel Africa’s African territories, including Nigeria, which happens to be a giant in Africa. With this partnership, Airtel Africa will be the first MNO, Mobile Network Operator on the continent to use Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology.

This was revealed by the business in a statement yesterday, Tuesday.

It is said that Customers of Airtel Africa who have suitable smartphones will be able to connect directly and seamlessly to Starlink satellites in areas lacking terrestrial mobile coverage thanks to the agreement.

This action has the potential to greatly boost access to mobile networks in underserved and remote locations, as well as for Airtel’s 174 million subscribers worldwide.

Airtel Africa went on to state that the satellite-to-mobile service would launch in 2026 and will initially enable data services for specific apps as well as text messaging. This is still action plan for 2026, however Airtel Africa didn’t discuss which quarter or which half, in 2026 this will be launched.

And regulatory permits in each operating nation are required before the rollout can begin. 

Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, which will make use of next-generation satellites will be built to provide noticeable and better performance and this is also included in the deal with Airtel Africa.

The enhanced infrastructure is anticipated to provide up to 20 times faster data speeds than the previous satellite-to-mobile options, according to Airtel Africa.

“The terrestrial infrastructure is enhanced by Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology, which even reaches places where it is difficult to implement terrestrial network solutions.

Sunil Taldar, MD and CEO of Airtel Africa, had stated, that they are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all their 14 markets.

Also Starlink Vice President of Sales Stephanie Bednarek said the partnership will help bring connectivity to remote regions of Africa that remain beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

Stephanie further stated that people throughout Africa will stay connected for the first time in remote areas and locations where terrestrial coverage cannot reach. She also noted that the next-generation technology would facilitate high-speed broadband connectivity and enhance access to vital services.

The Starlink Direct-to-Cell deployment by the first operator in Africa, is an agreement and also a deal that makes Airtel Africa the continent’s first mobile network provider to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell services.

A constellation of roughly 650 satellites will power the system, allowing mobile access in places where conventional network equipment is poor and either unavailable or challenging to implement. 

The agreement, according to the firms, is intended to be an added supplement with the current terrestrial networks rather than replacing them, especially in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.

It also aims to increase the digital inclusion throughout the continent as Airtel Africa stated that it will keep looking into new ways to work with SpaceX always.

The Business continued that Starlink Direct-to-Cell program, is in line with its larger plan to increase service availability and coverage, especially in underprivileged areas.

In terms of the regulations, which is a unique factor to each nation, which must be approved before deployment may take place in any market, including Nigeria which is Airtel’s largest market with over 59 million customers, East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia), Central & West Africa (Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Niger, Republic of the Congo, and Seychelles) and Madagascar (Indian Ocean).

This idea was first conceived in October 2023, when Starlink had initially revealed its intentions to introduce direct-to-mobile internet service. The service was supposed to start with texting in 2024 and launch voice, data, and Internet of Things capabilities in 2025, according to information made public on its website.

As planned, on Monday, January 8, 2024, the Starlink team used one of its new Direct to Cell satellites that had been launched six days earlier to successfully send and receive their first text messages using the T-Mobile network spectrum.

Starlink stated that since the service will function with existing 4G-capable cellphones, users won’t need to switch phones when it launches.