Airtel-Uganda Starts Direct-To-Cell Starlink Trials In Uganda
By Tom Oniro Elenyu Photos: Wikimedia Commons India’s Bharti Airtel, one of Africa’s telecom giants, has vigorously kicked off testing of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellite service in Uganda. The move is aimed at expanding connectivity and improving network access in hard-to-reach areas across the country. The trials follow approval from the statutory communications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which has greenlit Airtel Uganda to begin trials of the technology after the Government of Uganda cleared Starlink to begin operations in the country on May 15. The testing marks a major milestone in Airtel Uganda’s efforts to explore emerging technologies that could bridge connectivity gaps, particularly in remote and undeserved regions where conventional network infrastructure remains difficult to deploy. Airtel-Uganda CEO and Managing Director Soumendra Sahu said the company was excited to begin exploring a technology that could redefine connectivity in underserved areas. “Today,” so said Soumendra, “we are pleased to begin our journey of exploring our long-awaited partnership with Starlink. This marks the start of testing highly advanced technology that enhances smartphone network connectivity through Direct-to-Cell satellite services.” Welcoming Starlink into Uganda’s telecommunications market on May 16, Gen Yoweri Museveni said in a statement posted on X: “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet access in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.” The service, according to Soumendra, could significantly improve access to communication services in remote areas such as Buvuma Islands [in Lake Victoria] and Murchison Falls National Park [near Africa’s longest River Nile], among other undeserved locations. The arguably fast and affordable Starlink Internet which is available all over the world is engineered by SpaceX. The satellite internet service provider’s operations in Uganda were put-aside on January 1 over lack of a valid operational licence. Starlink entered the Ugandan market in 2023. Starlink is obliged to ensure compliance with national laws. The licensing of Starlink has been received as a major milestone for Uganda’s digital transformation. Access to high-speed internet connects education, digital trade, financial inclusion, remote work, logistics, innovation ecosystems, diaspora connectivity and Small-Medium Enterprise growth in an economy; including Uganda’s. Thanking Museveni, the US Mission in Uganda early this week said that Starlink is a world-class company that provides low-cost internet in hard-to-reach places around the world and that their interest in Uganda will be a game-changer in health care, education and business. Museveni witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the UCC and Starlink; marking an important step towards the commencement of their operations in Uganda. The agreement binds Starlink to the regulatory laws of the land to which Starlink obliged. Museveni said his government’s interest is security, revenue assurance and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that “we know who is operating and who the customers are. I am pleased that Starlink has agreed to comply with Uganda’s laws and regulatory requirements as it prepares to begin service delivery in the country. I wish them good luck,” said Museveni on May 16. “Today, I had the privilege of welcoming the leadership team from Airtel Uganda, headed by Managing Director Mr Soumendra Sahu, to UCC headquarters. We came together to celebrate a significant milestone: Airtel Uganda’s contribution of UGX 42.9 billion (about US$12 million), marking their 2% statutory gross annual revenue payment to the Commission. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a testament to the vibrancy of Uganda’s telecom industry,” UCC Executive Director, Nyombi-Thembo, said on May 18. “Last year,” he added, “this figure stood at UGX 37.9 billion (nearly US$11 million), reflecting a thriving business environment nurtured by sound government policies and progressive regulations. While businesses focus on their bottom line, our government prioritises digital inclusion, ensuring no one gets left behind in this fast-paced digital world.” Airtel Uganda has demonstrated that this responsibility is a shared investment in our nation’s future, Nyombi-Thembo said; adding: “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Airtel Uganda for their partnership and commitment to national progress. Together, we are crafting a more connected and inclusive Uganda, opening doors to endless digital opportunities for every citizen.” It is possible the world’s richest man—Elon Musk’s Starlink— sidestepped partnering with Uganda’s largest telecom company—South African-owned MTN-Uganda because his country of birth denied Starlink an operational licence there. The Airtel Africa-SpaceX’s Starlink partne
Black News 
By Tom Oniro Elenyu
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
India’s Bharti Airtel, one of Africa’s telecom giants, has vigorously kicked off testing of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellite service in Uganda. The move is aimed at expanding connectivity and improving network access in hard-to-reach areas across the country.
The trials follow approval from the statutory communications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which has greenlit Airtel Uganda to begin trials of the technology after the Government of Uganda cleared Starlink to begin operations in the country on May 15. The testing marks a major milestone in Airtel Uganda’s efforts to explore emerging technologies that could bridge connectivity gaps, particularly in remote and undeserved regions where conventional network infrastructure remains difficult to deploy.
Airtel-Uganda CEO and Managing Director Soumendra Sahu said the company was excited to begin exploring a technology that could redefine connectivity in underserved areas. “Today,” so said Soumendra, “we are pleased to begin our journey of exploring our long-awaited partnership with Starlink. This marks the start of testing highly advanced technology that enhances smartphone network connectivity through Direct-to-Cell satellite services.”
Welcoming Starlink into Uganda’s telecommunications market on May 16, Gen Yoweri Museveni said in a statement posted on X: “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet access in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”
The service, according to Soumendra, could significantly improve access to communication services in remote areas such as Buvuma Islands [in Lake Victoria] and Murchison Falls National Park [near Africa’s longest River Nile], among other undeserved locations.
The arguably fast and affordable Starlink Internet which is available all over the world is engineered by SpaceX. The satellite internet service provider’s operations in Uganda were put-aside on January 1 over lack of a valid operational licence. Starlink entered the Ugandan market in 2023. Starlink is obliged to ensure compliance with national laws.
The licensing of Starlink has been received as a major milestone for Uganda’s digital transformation. Access to high-speed internet connects education, digital trade, financial inclusion, remote work, logistics, innovation ecosystems, diaspora connectivity and Small-Medium Enterprise growth in an economy; including Uganda’s.
Thanking Museveni, the US Mission in Uganda early this week said that Starlink is a world-class company that provides low-cost internet in hard-to-reach places around the world and that their interest in Uganda will be a game-changer in health care, education and business.
Museveni witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the UCC and Starlink; marking an important step towards the commencement of their operations in Uganda. The agreement binds Starlink to the regulatory laws of the land to which Starlink obliged. Museveni said his government’s interest is security, revenue assurance and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that “we know who is operating and who the customers are. I am pleased that Starlink has agreed to comply with Uganda’s laws and regulatory requirements as it prepares to begin service delivery in the country. I wish them good luck,” said Museveni on May 16.
“Today, I had the privilege of welcoming the leadership team from Airtel Uganda, headed by Managing Director Mr Soumendra Sahu, to UCC headquarters. We came together to celebrate a significant milestone: Airtel Uganda’s contribution of UGX 42.9 billion (about US$12 million), marking their 2% statutory gross annual revenue payment to the Commission. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a testament to the vibrancy of Uganda’s telecom industry,” UCC Executive Director, Nyombi-Thembo, said on May 18. “Last year,” he added, “this figure stood at UGX 37.9 billion (nearly US$11 million), reflecting a thriving business environment nurtured by sound government policies and progressive regulations. While businesses focus on their bottom line, our government prioritises digital inclusion, ensuring no one gets left behind in this fast-paced digital world.”
Airtel Uganda has demonstrated that this responsibility is a shared investment in our nation’s future, Nyombi-Thembo said; adding: “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Airtel Uganda for their partnership and commitment to national progress. Together, we are crafting a more connected and inclusive Uganda, opening doors to endless digital opportunities for every citizen.”
It is possible the world’s richest man—Elon Musk’s Starlink— sidestepped partnering with Uganda’s largest telecom company—South African-owned MTN-Uganda because his country of birth denied Starlink an operational licence there.
The Airtel Africa-SpaceX’s Starlink partnership subsequently introduces Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across 14 markets run by Airtel Africa. The infrastructure now enables Airtel’s well over 174 million subscribers owning smartphones with compatibility in hard-to-reach terrestrial network coverage locations to access connectivity through Starlink’s satellite Internet.
