The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has officially begun a technical review of Airtel’s application to use Starlink’s ‘Direct-to-Cell’ technology in the country.
Regulators are investigating whether Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite signals to handsets will interfere with existing 3G, 4G, and 5G ground networks, potentially setting a global precedent for how satellite and mobile signals coexist.
Speaking to journalists in Nairobi last month, Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar revealed that the telco was planning to leverage Starlink to increase its mobile internet share in Kenya.
Taldar noted that the next-generation Direct-to-Cell system aims to provide data speeds up to 20 times faster than initial satellite-to-phone tests. The service is being mooted to bridge the backhaul gap where laying fibre optic cable to cell towers is geographically impossible.
Airtel’s partnership with Starlink is part of a broader rollout across Airtel’s 14 African markets where the pair have agreed to deploy the technology.
Unlike traditional satellite internet that requires a bulky dish and receiver, the Direct-to-Cell service allows most LTE-capable smartphones to connect directly to LEO satellites.
At the heart of the CA's concern is the risk of spectrum interference. Kenyan mobile operators, including market leader Safaricom, as well as Airtel, and Telkom Kenya, rely on licensed terrestrial spectrum for their 3G, 4G, and 5G services. Because Direct-to-Cell technology uses these same frequencies to communicate, there is a technical risk of signal noise.
The regulator is also specifically examining whether satellite transmissions will be strong enough to provide a connection without drowning out local cell towers.
The CA is seeking to determine if satellite coverage can operate within terrestrial rules without degrading the quality of service for millions of existing users, as well as define strict geographic and power boundaries for satellite transmissions
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar has emphasised that the service is meant to supplement, not replace, ground networks. "The goal is to ensure our customers remain connected even when they move outside the range of a traditional tower," Taldar said.
The CA is expected to conclude its technical audit by mid-2026. If approved, Airtel plans to roll out the service in phases, starting with basic SMS and text messaging before expanding to high-speed data.
Share