Airtel inks pact with SpaceX to bring Starlink's connectivity solutions to African customers
Airtel Africa's move follows Bharti Airtel announcing a partnership with SpaceX in the India market.
PTI
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Airtel Africa will also explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling
New Delhi, 6 May
Airtel Africa on
Tuesday announced an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink's high-speed
internet services to its customers in Africa.
Currently, SpaceX has
acquired requisite licences in 9 out of 14 countries within Airtel Africa's
footprint, Airtel Africa said in a release, adding that operating licences for
the other five countries are under process.
As such, Starlink is
a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX -- the American aerospace
manufacturer and space transportation company founded in 2002 by world's
richest man Elon Musk. It provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet
worldwide using satellite technology.
Unlike conventional
satellite services that rely on distant geostationary satellites, Starlink
utilises the world's largest low Earth orbit or LEO constellation (550 km above
earth).
This constellation of
LEO satellites (7,000 now but eventually set to grow to over 40,000) and its
mesh delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online
gaming, and video calls.
Announcing the pact
with SpaceX for Starlink, Airtel Africa in a release on Tuesday said,
"With this collaboration, Airtel Africa 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, according
to the release.
Airtel Africa and
SpaceX will continue to explore other areas to promote digital inclusion in the
continent as well as SpaceX's ability to utilise and benefit from Airtel's
ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in Africa.
SpaceX Vice-President
of Starlink Business Operations Chad Gibbs said, "We are very excited to
work with Airtel to bring the transformative benefits of Starlink to the
African people in new and innovative ways".
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, Gibbs said.
Airtel Africa's move
follows Bharti Airtel announcing a partnership with SpaceX in the India market.
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