MTN has become the first mobile operator in Africa to successfully test Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite technology, marking a major milestone in the continent’s telecoms landscape. The trial in Zambia involved transmitting the country’s first-ever data session and completing a fintech transaction using MTN’s licensed spectrum in combination with Starlink’s satellite network.
The development comes as Airtel Africa positions itself as a global launch partner for Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology across its 14 markets. However, MTN emphasises that it is the first operator on the continent to carry out a live, on-the-ground technical test of the service. While Airtel provides a broad strategic roadmap covering more than 170 million subscribers, MTN’s successful field test in Zambia demonstrates the real-world capabilities of Starlink Direct-to-Cell on African soil. MTN, which serves over 300 million subscribers, adds significant weight to the technology’s adoption in the region.
MTN says these results pave the way for a commercial launch of Direct-to-Cell services in Zambia within the coming weeks, pending regulatory approval. The technology works with existing LTE/4G devices, provided users have a clear view of the sky, allowing reliable connectivity in urban and remote areas. Functioning like a mobile tower in orbit, Starlink satellites use advanced phased-array antennas connected via laser links to integrate seamlessly with MTN’s network.
The service supports WhatsApp voice and video calls, access to MTN’s MoMo and MyMTN apps, navigation tools, weather services, and more as they become available. MTN highlighted that Starlink Direct-to-Cell will extend coverage to remote parts of Zambia, including rural communities and game parks.
MTN now joins a global roster of operators collaborating with Starlink on Direct-to-Cell, including T-Mobile (USA), Optus and Telstra (Australia), Rogers (Canada), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Globe (Philippines), Salt (Switzerland), Entel (Chile and Peru), Kyivstar (Ukraine), VMO2 (UK), MasOrange (Spain), Beeline (Kazakhstan), and Airtel Africa.
Privacy and regulatory concerns over Starlink’s new AI data policy
While Starlink’s expansion into Africa promises unprecedented connectivity, the company’s recent update to its privacy policy has raised significant privacy concerns. SpaceX revised its Starlink policy on 15 January to allow the use of customer data for AI training, unless users opt out. The policy states that data may be shared with service providers and third-party collaborators, but does not clarify exactly which data will be used.
Starlink collects a wide range of user information, including location data, credit card and contact details, IP addresses, and communication data, such as audio, video, and files shared through the network. The use of this data to train AI models has alarmed privacy advocates and consumer rights groups, who warn that it could expand surveillance and create new opportunities for misuse.
“It certainly raises my eyebrow and would make me concerned if I was a Starlink user,” said Anupam Chander, technology law professor at Georgetown University. “Often there are legitimate uses of your data, but it doesn’t have a clear limit to what kind of uses it will be put to.”
The policy change comes as SpaceX prepares for a potential merger with Elon Musk’s AI company xAI, which is developing the Grok chatbot and owns the social media platform X. The merger could provide xAI with vast new datasets, including Starlink communication data, to train AI models and deploy AI-powered services.
Need for regulatory oversight and user vigilance
Experts are urging both governments and users to ensure that Starlink’s operations comply with local data protection regulations. Regulatory authorities across Africa may need to review licensing terms and implement safeguards to protect users’ personal information. Users are advised to understand privacy settings, consider opting out of AI data sharing where possible, and monitor how their data is used.
While Starlink currently provides internet to more than 9 million users worldwide via over 9,000 satellites, the rollout of Direct-to-Cell technology in Africa highlights the urgent need for transparency and strong data governance as satellite-based internet and AI services converge.
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