Airtel Africa and SpaceX have successfully conducted trials of Starlink Mobile satellite-to-phone connectivity in Kenya, marking a significant step toward expanding mobile coverage across underserved regions.
The milestone, announced on Tuesday, represents the first practical demonstration of satellite-to-mobile services within Airtel Africa’s footprint, which spans 14 markets and serves approximately 174 million subscribers.
The development builds on a partnership agreement signed in December 2025, under which both companies committed to deploying Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology across Airtel Africa’s network.
According to the companies, the Kenya trials were conducted in areas beyond the reach of Airtel’s terrestrial infrastructure. In these locations, Starlink Mobile was activated, enabling standard 4G-compatible smartphones to connect directly to a constellation of more than 800 low-Earth-orbit satellites, without the need for satellite dishes or specialised hardware.
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Commenting on the development, the CEO and Managing Director of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, described the test phase as a major step toward expanding global connectivity. He noted that integrating satellite technology into Airtel’s network will ensure customers remain connected even when travelling outside traditional coverage areas.
During the trials, the service successfully supported light-data applications, including calls on WhatsApp, messaging via Facebook Messenger, navigation services, and financial transactions through Airtel Money.
Providing technical insight, Sara Spangelo, Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX, explained that standard smartphones can connect directly to satellites, which function as mobile base stations to extend coverage into remote and previously unreachable areas.
The next phase of development, branded Starlink Mobile V2, is expected to introduce full voice calling capabilities and enhanced broadband connectivity directly to mobile devices. The companies plan to roll out these features following the current pilot of data and messaging services.
The Airtel–SpaceX collaboration positions both firms in direct competition with rival satellite-to-mobile initiatives, notably the partnership between AST SpaceMobile and Vodacom, which also targets expanded connectivity across Africa.
Following the successful trials in Kenya, Airtel Africa and SpaceX said they intend to use insights from the pilot phase to progressively expand the service across additional markets, subject to regulatory approvals in each country.
