Airtel, Starlink Launch Satellite-to-Phone Service in Nigeria, 13 Other Countries

Airtel Africa has announced a partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite service across its 14 African markets, including Nigeria. This collaboration aims to bring mobile connectivity to regions currently lacking traditional network infrastructure.

Direct-to-Cell allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for mobile towers. The service is expected to go live in 2026, initially supporting text messaging and limited data for selected applications, the telecom operator said in a statement.

The PUNCH reports that the agreement also includes the rollout of high-speed broadband via next-generation satellites, capable of delivering up to 20 times faster data speeds, which comes up in a later phase. Deployment will depend on regulatory approvals in each country.

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said: “Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering a great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions.

He said Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions is challenging.

“We are very excited about the collaboration with Starlink, which will establish a new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets,” the executive said.

The telco serves roughly 174 million customers across its 14 markets and is the first mobile operator in Africa to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell. The company said the partnership will help close the digital divide, ensuring reliable connectivity in rural and underserved regions.

Starlink Direct-to-Cell is the world’s largest constellation, with more than 650 satellites in low-Earth orbit, delivering data, voice, video, and messaging to devices in mobile dead zones.

Starlink Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, said, “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 provide faster access to many essential services.”

Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service is already operating in some parts of the world today, with more locations rolling out or planning to launch the technology as partnerships expand.

In the USA, commercial service is live with T‑Mobile, allowing compatible handsets to send text messages and receive emergency alerts directly via Starlink satellites when out of terrestrial coverage.

Kyivstar has launched Starlink Direct-to-Cell across large parts of Ukraine, initially supporting SMS and later expanding to voice and data. Ukraine became the first country in Europe to offer this satellite service to regular 4G users.