Airtel Africa has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring the latter’s Starlink high-speed satellite internet service to customers in Africa.
“SpaceX has acquired the requisite licences in 9 out of 14 countries within Airtel Africa’s footprint. Operating licenses for the other 5 countries are under process,” Bharti Airtel’s Africa unit said in an official statement Tuesday.
Airtel Africa added that via this agreement with SpaceX, it will further enhance its next-generation satellite connectivity offerings and augment connectivity for enterprises, businesses, and socio-economic communities like schools, health centres in even the most rural parts of Africa. Airtel Africa will also explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling, it added.
“This partnership with SpaceX is a significant step to demonstrate our continued commitment to advancing Africa’s digital economy through strategic investments and partnerships,” Airtel Africa managing director Sunil Taldar said.
He added that next-gen satellite connectivity would ensure every individual, business, and community have reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently under-served parts of Africa.
SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Business Operations Chad Gibbs, in turn, said Starlink is available in more than 20 African markets and this agreement with Airtel highlights, how, once licensed, Starlink welcomes the opportunity to join forces with important industry leaders to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from Starlink’s presence. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business.”
Airtel Africa and SpaceX will also continue to explore other areas to promote digital inclusion in the continent as well as SpaceX’s ability to use and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in Africa.
Back in March, Airtel had announced a distribution pact to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to customers in India. This, though, can happen only after SpaceX receives its own authorisations from the Indian government to sell Starlink services in India.
Satcom services haven’t begun yet in India, with companies awaiting rules on pricing and the method of satellite spectrum allocation.
“SpaceX has acquired the requisite licences in 9 out of 14 countries within Airtel Africa’s footprint. Operating licenses for the other 5 countries are under process,” Bharti Airtel’s Africa unit said in an official statement Tuesday.
Airtel Africa added that via this agreement with SpaceX, it will further enhance its next-generation satellite connectivity offerings and augment connectivity for enterprises, businesses, and socio-economic communities like schools, health centres in even the most rural parts of Africa. Airtel Africa will also explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling, it added.
“This partnership with SpaceX is a significant step to demonstrate our continued commitment to advancing Africa’s digital economy through strategic investments and partnerships,” Airtel Africa managing director Sunil Taldar said.
He added that next-gen satellite connectivity would ensure every individual, business, and community have reliable and affordable voice and data connectivity even in the most remote and currently under-served parts of Africa.
SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Business Operations Chad Gibbs, in turn, said Starlink is available in more than 20 African markets and this agreement with Airtel highlights, how, once licensed, Starlink welcomes the opportunity to join forces with important industry leaders to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from Starlink’s presence. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in Africa’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering across Africa makes great sense for our business.”
Airtel Africa and SpaceX will also continue to explore other areas to promote digital inclusion in the continent as well as SpaceX’s ability to use and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in Africa.
Back in March, Airtel had announced a distribution pact to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to customers in India. This, though, can happen only after SpaceX receives its own authorisations from the Indian government to sell Starlink services in India.
Satcom services haven’t begun yet in India, with companies awaiting rules on pricing and the method of satellite spectrum allocation.
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