Airtel Uganda begins Starlink direct to cell trials to reach remote areas
Telecom says the satellite service could connect places such as the Buvuma Islands and Murchison Falls National Park
Airtel Uganda has started testing Starlink's direct to cell satellite service, a technology that links ordinary smartphones to satellites to extend coverage in areas the mobile network does not reach.
The trials follow approval from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the government's clearance for Starlink to operate in the country. Airtel says it is among the first mobile operators in Africa to test the service, which uses more than 650 satellites.
Airtel: "a game changer"
Airtel Uganda Managing Director and CEO Soumendra Sahu said the company was pleased to begin exploring its long awaited partnership with Starlink. He said the service could improve access in remote areas such as the Buvuma Islands and Murchison Falls National Park.
"This service is a game changer in extending connectivity to remote and hard to reach areas," Sahu said. He said the technology automatically links smartphones to satellites, improving access to calls, text messaging and selected data services.
How it works
Direct to cell, also called direct to device, turns satellites into orbiting cell towers. Standard smartphones, without hardware changes, can connect for text messaging, voice calls and, eventually, mobile data where there is no conventional coverage.
The trial stems from an earlier agreement between Airtel Africa and SpaceX to bring the service to Airtel's 14 African markets, which serve more than 174 million customers.
Timeline as described by Airtel
In separate remarks, an Airtel speaker said the company received UCC approval to test the service about two weeks earlier, and that Starlink received its licence the week before, which allows testing to move quickly in the coming month. The company said it would report back once testing is complete.
Airtel also said it has added 258 new 4G sites and expanded its 5G network to 364 sites in cities and towns including Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Lira, Fort Portal, Gulu and Mbarara.
