SpaceX’s Starlink is taking another major step toward eliminating mobile dead zones, announcing a new partnership with Airtel Africa that will bring its Direct to Cell satellite service to more than 170 million people across 14 African countries. The deal marks a significant expansion for Starlink’s satellite-to-smartphone ambitions and represents the sixth continent where the technology will be available.
“In partnership with Airtel Africa, Starlink Direct to Cell will connect more than 170 million people in Africa across 14 countries, powering life-saving connectivity when it’s needed most. This marks the sixth continent for the satellite-to-mobile service and expands our mission to end mobile dead zones,” Starlink said in a post on X. For millions of users in remote or underserved regions, the implications could be transformative.
The service is set to begin rolling out in 2026, initially delivering data connectivity that enables voice, video, and messaging on compatible smartphones. Over time, Starlink says it will advance to full high-speed broadband service, offering up to 20x faster data speeds directly to phones, without relying on traditional terrestrial cell towers. Airtel Africa customers in regions without existing coverage will be able to connect seamlessly, provided their devices support the technology.
This announcement builds on a growing push by SpaceX to bring Starlink connectivity directly to mobile devices. Earlier this month, SpaceX filed trademarks for its rumored “Starlink Mobile” service, signaling that Direct to Cell is moving closer to commercial reality. The company has also confirmed plans to start testing Starlink Direct to Cell on its own spectrum in 2026.
Africa has already emerged as a key growth market for Starlink. The service is nearing a launch in South Africa following a regulatory rule change last week, and recently even set a new subscriber record in Kenya. With more than 9,000 satellites already in orbit and plans to cross 10,000 by early 2026, SpaceX is rapidly expanding the backbone needed to support initiatives like Direct to Cell at scale.
Starlink’s broader momentum adds more context to the Airtel partnership. The satellite internet service is now SpaceX’s largest revenue source, with web traffic doubling in 2025 as adoption accelerates, and continues to grow globally as consumers, businesses, and governments look for alternatives to traditional connectivity. By teaming up with Airtel Africa, one of the continent’s largest telecom operators, Starlink is positioning itself to deliver satellite-powered mobile coverage to regions that have historically been the hardest to reach.
