Airtel Africa has announced a partnership with SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, to deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to its customers across the continent. According to the Group, Starlink is already licensed in 9 of Airtel’s 14 operating countries, with licensing in the remaining five markets underway.
This agreement marks one of the most significant telco-satellite collaborations in Africa to date and comes as demand for last-mile connectivity solutions continues to grow.
Starlink Will Power Remote Connectivity and Backhaul for Airtel
Through this partnership, Airtel Africa will integrate Starlink’s next-generation satellite solutions into its enterprise and community connectivity strategies. This includes powering internet access for schools, health centres, businesses, and socio-economic hubs in underserved and rural areas.
The Group will also explore rural mobile coverage expansion through satellite-based backhaul, offering an alternative to traditional tower infrastructure. This could be key in enabling broader 4G and 5G coverage in areas where fibre or terrestrial links are too costly or impossible to deploy.
Strategic Infrastructure Collaboration
Beyond user access, the two companies say they are exploring ways for SpaceX to tap into Airtel Africa’s extensive ground infrastructure. This includes leveraging Airtel’s towers, data centres, and local expertise to support Starlink’s direct-to-consumer offerings and business operations across the continent.
Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, emphasized the strategic value of the deal:
“Next-generation satellite connectivity will ensure that every individual, business, and community have reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently under-served parts of Africa.”
Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, noted that Starlink is already present in over 20 African markets and sees this agreement as a natural extension of its expansion strategy.
“The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business,” he said.
Starlink’s Position in Africa Strengthens
While Starlink has already launched in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Zambia, it has often done so without telco partners. This new collaboration could represent a pivot toward hybrid distribution models, combining telco infrastructure with direct sales to consumers and enterprises.
The move also comes amid increased scrutiny from incumbents in certain countries. In Kenya, for instance, Safaricom has challenged Starlink’s regulatory model, calling for new licensing rules that would require satellite providers to operate under local partners – a model that this Airtel deal appears to follow.
What It Means for the Market
- For consumers: This partnership may lead to more affordable or bundled Starlink services via Airtel, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
- For enterprises and institutions: Access to business-grade satellite internet through Airtel’s enterprise services is likely to improve.
- For regulators and competitors: The deal sets a precedent for how global satellite providers can partner with African telcos to meet licensing requirements and expand reach without bypassing local infrastructure.
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