The telecom operator has completed a pilot of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology, which allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites when they move outside Airtel’s normal network coverage.
The service is designed to work with compatible 4G and 5G phones without a satellite dish, special handset or new SIM card.
Airtel Kenya Managing Director Djibril Tobe said the company was ready to introduce the service once it receives approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
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The regulator is currently reviewing Airtel’s application, including concerns about how satellite signals could affect existing mobile networks.
During the Kenyan pilot, compatible phones were able to use services including WhatsApp, maps, Facebook Messenger and the MyAirtel app in areas without traditional network coverage.
The initiative is part of Airtel Africa’s partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink Direct-to-Cell connectivity to its 14 markets, subject to approval by regulators in each country.
For Airtel, the technology could provide a cheaper way to extend connectivity to remote communities where building additional mobile towers is difficult or too expensive.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
