Airtel Uganda has entered into a commercial partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to launch satellite-to-mobile connectivity, positioning Uganda as the second African nation after the Democratic Republic of the Congo to roll out direct-to-cell satellite services.
The official launch, held in Kampala, was officiated by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, alongside Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo and Airtel Uganda Managing Director Soumendra Sahu.
The service allows standard, compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation when users travel beyond terrestrial mobile networks, eliminating the need for satellite dishes, external hardware, or separate devices.
At launch, the direct-to-cell service primarily supports SMS and lightweight data applications—such as WhatsApp messaging—operating automatically when a device loses all terrestrial signal and has an unobstructed view of the sky.
Minister Lumumba commended the collaboration as a milestone in bridging the national digital divide, noting its potential to expand connectivity to remote communities, islands on Lake Victoria, national parks, and key tourism corridors.
“As government, we have a responsibility to build an enabling policy environment to support private sector growth in ICT,” Lumumba said. “With Starlink Mobile’s satellite technology, it supports increased productivity and connectivity across the economy.”
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of technology-neutral regulation and infrastructure sharing.
Thembo noted that national telecommunications operators are mandated under their licensing conditions to achieve at least 90 percent geographical coverage across Uganda, including complex terrains like islands, dense forests, and mountainous frontiers.
“Whether through terrestrial masts or orbital satellites, our ultimate priority is to ensure every Ugandan, regardless of location, has access to essential communications services,” Thembo affirmed, adding that the commission will closely monitor service quality, reliability, and consumer protection frameworks.
Airtel Uganda CEO Soumendra Sahu noted that satellite connectivity complements the company's existing physical base stations, ensuring users remain in touch during emergencies, natural disasters, or travels through unserved zones.
The service is available to eligible Airtel Uganda subscribers through a 30-day introductory trial on the MyAirtel app, after which users can maintain satellite access using eligible data bundles starting at Shs 2,000.
The launch coincided with deliberations at the National Conference on Communications (NCC 2026), where researchers, policy leaders, and innovators gathered to examine strategies for commercializing ICT research, scaling AI for social good, and expanding shared infrastructure models across the continent.
