Airtel Africa don sign partnership agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across im 14 African markets, including Nigeria.
Di company talk dis one for statement wey dem release on Tuesday, say Airtel customers wey get compatible smartphones go soon fit connect directly to Starlink satellites for places wey normal mobile network no reach.
Under di partnership, di satellite-to-phone service go help expand network access for over 174 million Airtel customers, especially for rural and remote areas wey hard to deploy terrestrial infrastructure.
Airtel Africa say di service go start for 2026, beginning with text messages and small data services for selected applications. Di rollout go still depend on regulatory approvals for each country.
Di agreement also cover Starlink first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, wey go use next-generation satellites to deliver stronger performance. Airtel Africa say di new system fit offer data speed up to 20 times faster than earlier satellite-to-mobile solutions.
Airtel Africa Managing Director and CEO, Sunil Taldar, say di collaboration go change service availability across di continent.
“Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology go complement terrestrial network and reach areas wey normal network deployment dey difficult. We dey very excited about dis partnership, wey go set new standard for service availability across all our 14 markets,” Taldar tok.
Starlink Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, say di partnership go help connect people for remote parts of Africa wey terrestrial networks no reach before.
“For di first time, people across Africa go stay connected for remote areas wey terrestrial coverage no fit reach. Di next-generation technology go support high-speed broadband and improve access to essential services,” she add.
With dis agreement, Airtel Africa don become di first mobile network operator for Africa to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell service. Di solution go use about 650 satellites to provide connectivity for areas wey traditional network infrastructure no dey or hard to deploy.
Both companies explain say di service no dey replace terrestrial networks but go support am, especially for rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Airtel Africa also talk say e go continue to explore more partnership opportunities with SpaceX as part of effort to deepen digital inclusion across di continent.
Starlink don earlier announce for October 2023 say e plan to launch direct-to-mobile internet service. Di company don confirm say users no go need change dia phones, as di service go work with existing 4G-enabled devices.
