Starlink, Airtel launch Africa’s second satellite-to-mobile service in Uganda

Starlink, in partnership with Airtel Africa, has announced the commercial launch of a satellite-to-mobile service in Uganda, becoming the second African country to welcome Starlink mobile.

According to an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday, the SpaceX-owned satellite internet company confirmed the presence of its services in the East African country.

“Starlink Mobile is now available in Uganda with Airtel Uganda, connecting millions of people in rural and remote communities with apps and messaging where cell signal isn’t available,” the X post reads.

The latest launch follows the earlier entry of the services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which marked the first entry of the satellite-to-mobile service in Africa. These developments, in partnership with Airtel Africa, mark a historic moment for the continent towards the ongoing push to close the digital divide and connect underserved and rural communities in Africa.

Direct to cell

In addition, the entry comes at a time when African telecom operators are struggling to deploy infrastructure to rural communities due to associated costs, right-of-way and fear of vandalism. With the launch, compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink’s satellite network in areas without terrestrial mobile infrastructure.

While Airtel is currently leading the charge, other African operators are also in the process of joining the game.

In March, MTN Zambia completed a successful Direct-to-Cell (D2C) test, becoming the first African operator to complete field testing of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile services. In the same period, AXIAN Telecom partnered with AST SpaceMobile to launch direct-to-device space-based broadband, enabling 4G/5G voice and data directly to standard mobile phones.

In addition, Airtel is nearing its launch in Kenya following groundwork preparations and a pilot test of Starlink’s mobile data and messaging services in the country in early 2026.

Also read: Starlink relaunches in Uganda 4 months after securing operational license.

What Airtel and Starlink’s mobile satellite bring to Uganda

For Ugandans, especially in rural and underserved areas in terms of connectivity coverage, access to quality internet is finally becoming a reality. Bringing mobile access to underserved and remote communities could be transformative for healthcare, education, and digital services.

The launch means that compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink’s satellite network in areas without terrestrial mobile infrastructure.

Also, the phones can connect with the satellites for SMS and light-data applications like WhatsApp and Facebook without needing tower dependence or extra dishes.

ICT Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba and Airtel Uganda MD Soumendra Sahu (IM: Airtel)

Customers with supported smartphones are expected to opt into the satellite-to-mobile services via the MyAirtel App for a free trial during an introductory 30-day period. Following the trial, customers will be able to access Starlink Mobile through eligible Airtel Uganda data bundles.

Commenting on the launch, Soumendra Sahu, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Uganda, acknowledged that the partnership is transforming how connectivity is delivered across Uganda.

“*Starlink’s advanced satellite technology complements our ongoing investments in terrestrial infrastructure and enables customers to stay connected even when they venture beyond conventional mobile coverage,” he said. *

The East African country is nearing the point where the phone is now talking to the satellite, not to the towers.

Interestingly, the development comes weeks after Starlink made an official return to Uganda following its regulatory approval in May. The licence allows Starlink to operate in Uganda and sell its hardware without obstruction.

IM: GSMA

While it’s a huge step for connectivity in Uganda and Africa, the continent is now facing a rise in smartphone adoption amid the AI boom. Scarcity and a hike in the price of memory chips are forcing manufacturers to increase the price of entry-level smartphones beyond the $30 target.

In fact, recent industry conversations reveal that the cost of a memory chip is almost as much as the price of an entry-level device.

How African countries navigate the incoming dilemma will define whether it moves from combating the coverage gap to the internet usage gap, a situation where people with connectivity are not using it.