Airtel Africa and SpaceX have completed technical trials of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell service in Kenya, targeting regions where terrestrial mobile towers do not reach.
The pilot confirmed that standard 4G smartphones can connect to Starlink’s satellite constellation without hardware modifications. Tests conducted in areas with no ground signal confirmed WhatsApp messaging and calls, maps, Facebook Messenger, and financial transactions via the Airtel app.
The service is currently limited to light-data applications. Airtel and Starlink aim to eventually provide full broadband and voice services directly to mobile devices.
Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, commented, “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.”
A successful rollout of the technology effectively eliminates the “no-signal” zones that have historically hindered digital inclusion in Kenya’s frontier regions.
”By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network,” Mr. Taldar added.
Airtel plans to roll out the direct-to-cell service across its 14 African markets, subject to local regulatory approvals.
Recently, the company has made investments to be a data-heavy infrastructure provider in the Kenyan market. This Starlink partnership follows the 2025 rollout of its Home Fibre service and the ongoing construction of the Nxtra Data Centre, which is designed to host AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) for the East African region.
For SpaceX, the Airtel partnership scales its Kenyan footprint following a recent rural-focused deal with Mawingu.
