MTN Zambia has reached a significant milestone, becoming the first African operator to successfully complete field testing of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service. This achievement follows a strategic partnership between MTN Zambia and Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk.

The comprehensive testing, disclosed by MTN Zambia, involved leveraging the operator’s existing spectrum in conjunction with Starlink’s advanced satellite constellation. During these trials, the team successfully conducted the first-ever data session and a fintech transaction via the Direct-to-Cell service. This pioneering effort positions MTN Zambia to expand its reach and provide advanced network services to a broader population, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.

For MTN Zambia, this partnership unlocks substantial opportunities. It enables the operator to extend coverage to extremely remote locations, including game parks, rural communities, and areas surrounded by water bodies and rivers, where traditional terrestrial services are often unavailable. Beyond these isolated regions, the Direct-to-Cell service promises to enhance the online experience for all of MTN Zambia’s over 7 million subscribers, offering consistent access to quality internet, voice, and video services. This development is also set to complement MTN Zambia’s recently launched 5G services in major Zambian cities like Lusaka, Kitwe, and Ndola, allowing the operator to offer a reliable network and gain a competitive edge against rivals such as Airtel Zambia.

Following the successful field testing, MTN Zambia is now focused on securing the necessary regulatory approval for a full commercial launch. The operator is actively vying to be the first African telecommunications company to bring this groundbreaking service to market. Company statements indicate that these milestones pave the way for commercial service in the coming weeks, pending regulatory endorsement.

The exploration of “Direct-to-Cell” services by telcos, including MTN Zambia, is a strategic move to eliminate “dead zones” and expand coverage to remote areas without the prohibitive cost of building extensive terrestrial infrastructure. This technology offers significant reach by allowing standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, providing essential services like SMS, voice, and data in locations previously deemed unreachable. Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell specifically operates with existing LTE/4G/5G-compatible devices anywhere there is a clear view of the sky, integrating into the network much like a standard roaming partner. It functions as a “cellphone tower in space,” utilizing an advanced array of antennas powered by Starlink’s extensive satellite network.

MTN Zambia is not alone in exploring this innovative technology. Other African operators are also making strides in similar direct-to-device initiatives. AXIAN Telecom recently partnered with AST SpaceMobile to launch space-based broadband, enabling 4G/5G voice and data directly to standard mobile phones. Similarly, Airtel Africa is collaborating with Starlink to roll out Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across 14 markets, including Nigeria, by 2026. These developments signify a new era in Africa’s telecommunications landscape, where Direct-to-Cell technology aims to bridge the continent’s connectivity gap by enabling devices to connect to satellite networks where traditional infrastructure cannot reach.