Airtel Nigeria has stated that breakthroughs in satellite technology, spearheaded by SpaceX’s Starlink, have transformed satellite-based telecommunications into a more efficient and affordable option.
This clarification was provided by Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, in response to media questions during the formal announcement of Airtel Africa’s strategic partnership with Starlink to roll out satellite-to-mobile services across Africa.
Balsingh explained that, in the past, mobile network operators depended largely on broadband cable infrastructure to deliver services, while satellite communication was considered costly and less practical. However, he noted that those limitations have been overcome with Starlink’s modern, streamlined satellite systems, which have significantly improved performance and reduced costs.
He said the collaboration would allow Airtel to deploy satellite-to-mobile services in all 14 African countries where it operates, with a particular focus on regions that have little or no access to terrestrial network infrastructure. The service will be powered by SpaceX’s Starlink platform.
According to Balsingh, the satellite solution is capable of delivering data speeds up to 20 times faster directly to mobile phones. With a constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, Airtel revealed that it has become the first mobile network operator on the continent to introduce Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology, enabling uninterrupted connectivity for rural, remote and underserved populations.
Airtel emphasized that the partnership underscores its long-standing dedication to closing Africa’s digital gap and ensuring that location no longer restricts access to communication, economic opportunities or essential services.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, said the partnership supports the company’s goal of enhancing customer experience while expanding dependable network coverage.
“Airtel Africa remains focused on delivering superior customer experiences by broadening access to reliable and continuous mobile connectivity solutions,” Taldar said.
He added that Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology strengthens existing terrestrial networks by extending coverage to areas where building conventional infrastructure is challenging or impractical.
Expressing optimism about the initiative, Taldar said the collaboration would establish a new benchmark for service availability across all 14 Airtel Africa markets.
Starlink’s Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, described the partnership as a significant milestone for connectivity on the continent. She said it would, for the first time, enable people in hard-to-reach locations to remain connected where terrestrial networks are unable to reach.
“Through our partnership with Airtel Africa, we are delivering transformative connectivity and next-generation high-speed broadband that will accelerate access to vital services,” Bednarek said.
Both Airtel Africa and Starlink noted that discussions are ongoing to identify additional areas of cooperation beyond the initial deployment, with the aim of further strengthening digital inclusion and expanding connectivity across Africa.