Blab Tech
Airtel Madagascar Tests Starlink Direct-to-Cell Service, Enables WhatsApp Calls from Satellite
On July 11, Airtel Madagascar marked a milestone by letting a standard 4G smartphone reach SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation without any satellite‑specific gear or extra ground equipment. The demo, held in Sadabe, was the country’s first Direct‑to‑Cell non‑terrestrial network (NTN) trial and featured a live WhatsApp voice and video call carried entirely over the satellite link.
Participants could send SMS, WhatsApp messages, make voice and video calls, and stream YouTube and Facebook, proving that a regular handset can tap the satellite network when terrestrial coverage is absent. Airtel highlighted Madagascar’s rugged terrain as a key obstacle for conventional mobile infrastructure, underscoring the potential of satellite‑direct connectivity.
Direct‑to‑Cell differs from the more common satellite backhaul model, where a terrestrial base station connects to the satellite. In the Direct‑to‑Cell approach the handset itself talks to the satellite, acting as an orbiting cellular base station that integrates with the operator’s core network. Airtel Africa and SpaceX announced a continent‑wide partnership in December 2025 that will cover 14 sub‑Saharan African markets, pending regulatory approval in each country.
The Madagascar trial follows a similar test in Kenya, where Airtel reported successful Starlink mobile data and messaging in March 2026 in areas without terrestrial coverage. The Kenyan results will inform preparations for other markets, and the broader Direct‑to‑Cell programme builds on a 2025 agreement that also explored using Starlink for cellular backhaul in rural regions.
Regulatory clearance remains the next hurdle. A commercial launch in Madagascar depends on the Communications Technologies Regulatory Authority (ARTEC) completing its assessment, but ARTEC has yet to publish a timetable or scope. The International Telecommunication Union notes that spectrum management, policy frameworks, and coordination among governments, satellite operators, and mobile providers are key regulatory considerations for direct‑to‑device services.
Airtel and ARTEC have not disclosed pricing, billing arrangements, service availability, or a launch date for Madagascar. The company also did not provide technical performance metrics such as download or upload speeds, latency, connection stability, or handover performance between terrestrial and satellite coverage.
In a statement, Airtel Madagascar’s managing director Anne Catherine Tchokonté said the trial demonstrates the operator’s ambition to bring global telecommunications innovations to Malagasy users. Airtel plans further evaluation to assess how Direct‑to‑Cell could support public services, field operations, and economic activity beyond existing terrestrial coverage.
The trial marks the first time a commercial operator in Madagascar has tested Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell. While the demonstration showed basic voice, video, and data services, the lack of performance data means the commercial viability and reliability of the service in emergency or congested conditions remain unverified.
The next steps for Airtel and SpaceX will involve regulatory clearance from ARTEC, identification of supported devices, integration with Airtel’s network, and establishment of customer access arrangements. Until those milestones are achieved, the Direct‑to‑Cell service will remain a demonstration rather than a commercial offering.
Participants could send SMS, WhatsApp messages, make voice and video calls, and stream YouTube and Facebook, proving that a regular handset can tap the satellite network when terrestrial coverage is absent. Airtel highlighted Madagascar’s rugged terrain as a key obstacle for conventional mobile infrastructure, underscoring the potential of satellite‑direct connectivity.
Direct‑to‑Cell differs from the more common satellite backhaul model, where a terrestrial base station connects to the satellite. In the Direct‑to‑Cell approach the handset itself talks to the satellite, acting as an orbiting cellular base station that integrates with the operator’s core network. Airtel Africa and SpaceX announced a continent‑wide partnership in December 2025 that will cover 14 sub‑Saharan African markets, pending regulatory approval in each country.
The Madagascar trial follows a similar test in Kenya, where Airtel reported successful Starlink mobile data and messaging in March 2026 in areas without terrestrial coverage. The Kenyan results will inform preparations for other markets, and the broader Direct‑to‑Cell programme builds on a 2025 agreement that also explored using Starlink for cellular backhaul in rural regions.
Regulatory clearance remains the next hurdle. A commercial launch in Madagascar depends on the Communications Technologies Regulatory Authority (ARTEC) completing its assessment, but ARTEC has yet to publish a timetable or scope. The International Telecommunication Union notes that spectrum management, policy frameworks, and coordination among governments, satellite operators, and mobile providers are key regulatory considerations for direct‑to‑device services.
Airtel and ARTEC have not disclosed pricing, billing arrangements, service availability, or a launch date for Madagascar. The company also did not provide technical performance metrics such as download or upload speeds, latency, connection stability, or handover performance between terrestrial and satellite coverage.
In a statement, Airtel Madagascar’s managing director Anne Catherine Tchokonté said the trial demonstrates the operator’s ambition to bring global telecommunications innovations to Malagasy users. Airtel plans further evaluation to assess how Direct‑to‑Cell could support public services, field operations, and economic activity beyond existing terrestrial coverage.
The trial marks the first time a commercial operator in Madagascar has tested Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell. While the demonstration showed basic voice, video, and data services, the lack of performance data means the commercial viability and reliability of the service in emergency or congested conditions remain unverified.
The next steps for Airtel and SpaceX will involve regulatory clearance from ARTEC, identification of supported devices, integration with Airtel’s network, and establishment of customer access arrangements. Until those milestones are achieved, the Direct‑to‑Cell service will remain a demonstration rather than a commercial offering.
