Airtel Africa has announced the successful completion of satellite-to-mobile connectivity testing using Starlink Mobile in Kenya. Starlink recently completed the same tests with MTN Zambia.
Starlink Mobile activated to provide connectivity directly to 4G-compatible smartphones through SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation.
Users were able to access digital services despite being outside traditional network coverage. Supported use cases include WhatsApp messaging and voice calls, Facebook Messenger, navigation through mapping services and financial transactions via the Airtel app.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said, “We are thrilled to move from announcement to actionable steps with our partners at SpaceX. This testing phase in Kenya is a testament to our commitment to expanding global access. By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network.”
Following the Kenya trials, Airtel Africa and Starlink plan to expand testing across Airtel’s 14 African markets and seek regulatory approvals in each country as well as introduce voice calling capabilities and improve data services using Starlink Mobile V2 technology.
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