Nairobi, Kenya | August 2026
Airtel Kenya has completed pilot testing of its Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite service and is awaiting final regulatory approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) before launching the service commercially.
The technology is being introduced through Airtel Africa’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink network and is expected to become one of the continent’s first commercial satellite-to-mobile services.
What is Direct-to-Cell?
Direct-to-Cell (DTC) enables compatible 4G and 5G smartphones to connect directly to low-Earth-orbit satellites whenever users move beyond the reach of conventional mobile towers.
Unlike traditional satellite phones, the service does not require a dedicated handset, satellite dish or new SIM card. Users continue using their existing Airtel SIM, while the connection automatically switches between terrestrial and satellite networks depending on coverage availability.
According to Airtel Kenya, the pilot programme successfully demonstrated the technology, with commercial deployment expected once regulatory approval is granted.
How It Works
The service uses SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation to extend mobile network coverage into remote and underserved locations where building conventional telecommunications infrastructure is difficult or uneconomical.
During the initial rollout, customers will be able to access data-based services such as messaging, navigation and selected mobile applications in areas without terrestrial network coverage. Voice calls and native SMS services are expected to be introduced in later phases as the technology evolves.
Airtel has indicated that customers will not require additional hardware to access the service.
Why Regulatory Approval Matters
The Communications Authority of Kenya is reviewing Airtel’s application to ensure the satellite service can operate alongside existing terrestrial mobile networks without causing harmful interference.
The assessment includes spectrum management, signal power levels and compatibility with Kenya’s existing 3G, 4G and 5G infrastructure. Regulatory approval remains the final requirement before commercial launch.
Market Implications
Satellite-to-phone connectivity has the potential to reshape mobile coverage across Africa by extending network access to remote communities, border regions, transport corridors and rural economic zones where conventional towers are difficult to deploy.
For telecommunications operators, the technology offers a cost-effective way to improve nationwide coverage without relying solely on additional ground infrastructure. It could also strengthen digital financial services, emergency communications, logistics, agriculture and tourism by improving connectivity in previously underserved areas.
The rollout also positions Airtel Africa at the forefront of satellite-enabled mobile services across its 14 African markets, subject to regulatory approvals in each country.
What to Watch
The next key milestone is regulatory approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya. Once granted, Airtel Kenya could become the country’s first operator to commercially offer direct satellite-to-phone connectivity, providing an important reference point for future deployments across Airtel Africa’s wider network.
Source: Airtel Kenya, Communications Authority of Kenya, SpaceX, The EastAfrican, TechCabal.
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