Airtel Africa announced on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, that it had successfully tested satellite to mobile data and messaging services in Kenya using technology from SpaceX’s Starlink, marking a step toward expanding connectivity in remote areas.
The milestone is the first concrete step in the rollout of satellite to mobile connectivity across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets, collectively serving nearly 174 million subscribers.
The testing took place in locations with no existing mobile signal. In these zones, Starlink Mobile activated on 4G compatible smartphones, connecting users to SpaceX’s constellation of 650 low Earth orbit satellites. During the tests, the connection supported light data applications including WhatsApp calling and messaging, maps, Facebook Messenger, and financial transactions through the Airtel app. No hardware modifications to devices were required.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar confirmed the results in a statement. “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 global 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.
The announcement builds on a landmark partnership forged in December 2025, when Airtel Africa signed an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct to Cell satellite connectivity across all of its 14 markets, making it the first mobile network operator in Africa to offer the service. That agreement followed an earlier collaboration announced in May 2025, covering the integration of Starlink internet services into Airtel’s broader data offerings.
The partnership includes support for Starlink’s first broadband Direct to Cell system, powered by next-generation satellites capable of delivering connectivity to smartphones with 20 times improved data speed compared to the current generation. This next phase, branded Starlink Mobile V2, will enable full voice calling and expanded broadband directly to mobile handsets.
The development is not without regulatory scrutiny. Kenya’s Communications Authority has officially commenced a technical evaluation of Airtel’s application to utilize Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology, aiming to determine whether low-Earth orbit satellite signals intended for mobile devices might interfere with existing 3G, 4G, and 5G terrestrial networks. The regulator is expected to finalize its technical audit by mid-2026.
Following the Kenya trials, Airtel Africa and Starlink plan to expand the service across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets, in line with country-specific regulatory approvals. No commercial launch date has been announced.
