Airtel's satellite-to-phone service could extend Kenya's mobile coverage beyond cell towers
For decades, expanding mobile coverage has largely meant building more towers, laying more fibre and extending networks into areas where demand could justify the investment. That approach has connected millions of Kenyans, yet vast parts of the country, particularly remote counties, border regions and sparsely populated areas, remain difficult and expensive to serve. Airtel Kenya believes satellite connectivity can help close some of those gaps, and if the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) approves its Direct-to-Cell service, the operator could become the first in the country to connect ordinary smartphones directly to satellites when terrestrial coverage is unavailable.
The company says it has completed a successful pilot and is awaiting regulatory approval before launching the service commercially. Once available, customers with compatible 4G and 5G smartphones will automatically switch from Airtel’s terrestrial network to SpaceX’s Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites whenever they move beyond the reach of conventional mobile towers. The transition is designed to happen in the background without requiring users to purchase satellite equipment or change their devices.
That matters because Kenya already has one of the region’s largest smartphone bases. According to the Communications Authority’s Third Quarter Sector Statistics Report for FY2025/26, more than 50 million smartphones are connected to mobile networks across the country, creating a substantial installed base of devices capable of supporting technologies built on modern LTE standards. Rather than introducing a new category of hardware, Direct-to-Cell extends connectivity to devices that many subscribers already carry every day.
Unlike traditional satellite broadband, which relies on dedicated terminals or satellite dishes, Direct-to-Cell enables compatible smartphones to communicate directly with low-Earth orbit satellites in locations where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. The technology is intended to complement existing mobile networks rather than replace them, offering an additional layer of connectivity for travellers, emergency responders, logistics operators, rural communities and businesses working beyond conventional coverage areas.
The launch also comes as mobile usage patterns continue to evolve. The Communications Authority’s latest sector data shows mobile broadband consumption continued to rise during the quarter, while traditional voice calls and SMS recorded further declines as subscribers relied more on internet-based communication platforms. Extending access to messaging, mapping services and other essential mobile applications in areas without network coverage therefore addresses a growing expectation that connectivity should remain available wherever people travel.
Earlier this year, Airtel Africa and SpaceX successfully tested messaging and light data services over Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Kenya. The trials demonstrated that compatible smartphones could connect directly to low-Earth orbit satellites without specialised hardware, supporting services such as WhatsApp messaging, navigation and Airtel Money in locations outside the terrestrial network. Those tests represented an important step from the partnership announced in late 2025 toward commercial deployment, although nationwide rollout still depends on regulatory approval.
The broader market also points to growing acceptance of satellite-enabled connectivity. The Communications Authority reported continued growth in fixed satellite broadband subscriptions during the quarter, reflecting increasing adoption of low-Earth orbit satellite services by homes, businesses and organisations seeking reliable internet access in underserved locations. While fixed satellite broadband and Direct-to-Cell serve different use cases, both illustrate how satellite infrastructure is becoming an important complement to terrestrial networks in Kenya.
For Airtel, Direct-to-Cell forms part of a broader infrastructure strategy rather than a standalone product. Alongside expanding its mobile network, the operator is investing in fibre connectivity, improving indoor mobile coverage in urban centres and developing the Nxtra data centre campus at Tatu City, which is expected to become one of East Africa’s largest facilities for cloud and AI workloads. The company has also expanded its digital financial services through products such as Bizna Wallet, reflecting a strategy that spans connectivity, enterprise infrastructure and fintech.
The satellite initiative also has competitive significance. Safaricom remains Kenya’s largest mobile operator by subscriber base and mobile broadband market share, while Airtel has steadily expanded its own footprint through network investment and service innovation. Direct-to-Cell will not replace conventional mobile infrastructure, but it could help Airtel extend basic connectivity into locations where building and maintaining additional base stations is commercially challenging, strengthening its ability to compete for customers who travel or live beyond traditional coverage areas.
Whether the service reaches consumers now rests with the Communications Authority. Airtel says it is ready to launch once approval is granted, and if that happens, Kenya would become one of the first markets in Africa to commercially deploy satellite-to-phone connectivity through Starlink Direct-to-Cell. More broadly, the development reflects how the next phase of network expansion may rely not only on towers and fibre, but also on satellites working alongside terrestrial infrastructure to keep people connected wherever they are.
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