Airtel Africa partners with Starlink to expand high-speed satellite internet in nine countries

Airtel Africa has struck a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to its 14-country footprint with the agreement set to initially focus on nine countries.  Currently, SpaceX has acquired requisite licenses in 9 out of 14 countries within Airtel Africa’s footprint including; Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Operating licenses for Uganda and the other 4 countries are under process.   The collaboration leverages Starlink’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites and Airtel’s entrenched customer network of over 163 million subscribers. Starlink, licensed to operate in the nine rollout countries,…