SpaceX's Starlink teamed up with Airtel Africa to launch direct-to-cell service across 14 countries, targeting over 170 million people starting in 2026. Customers with compatible smartphones will connect directly to satellites for texting, apps, and eventually voice, video, and high-speed internet up to 20 times faster than before. The service covers challenging areas in Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, and others, where terrain and disasters often disrupt signals. Elon Musk noted it ensures phones work amid hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, proving essential for emergencies and daily life.
