Uganda’s two biggest telecom operators, MTN Group and Airtel Africa, are both moving to integrate Starlink satellite technology into their networks after Ugandan regulators granted provisional approval to the service earlier this month.

The development follows a provisional licence issued by the Uganda Communications Commission on May 14 to Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by SpaceX.

Industry analysts say the move could reshape digital connectivity across East Africa, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities where traditional mobile infrastructure remains difficult and expensive to build.

MTN Group confirmed it is in talks with Starlink to support last-mile internet connectivity in Uganda and Zambia. MTN Uganda chairman Charles Mbire said the partnership could help telecom operators extend coverage to underserved regions while lowering infrastructure costs and helping operators meet national coverage obligations.

At the same time, Airtel Uganda has already entered the technical testing phase for Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology. The system allows ordinary mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without requiring special devices, satellite phones or external antennas.

Airtel Uganda chief executive Soumendra Sahu described the technology as a major breakthrough for connectivity in remote areas. He identified locations such as the Buvuma Islands and Murchison Falls National Park as key areas where the service could improve communication access.

The Uganda rollout is part of a wider partnership agreement signed in December 2025 between Airtel Africa and Starlink. The agreement covers all 14 African countries where Airtel Africa operates and could eventually serve more than 174 million customers across the continent.

The growing cooperation between African telecom companies and Starlink marks a noticeable shift in the industry’s attitude toward satellite internet providers. When Starlink first entered African markets, many mobile operators viewed the company as a competitive threat that could weaken their customer base.

However, MTN’s leadership now appears more focused on ensuring fair regulation rather than blocking competition. Mbire said Starlink should operate under the same tax and regulatory conditions as licensed telecom operators in Uganda.

Before receiving formal approval, some Ugandan users had already been accessing Starlink services through roaming subscriptions linked to neighbouring countries where the company was licensed. Ugandan authorities suspended those arrangements earlier this year ahead of the country’s January general elections.

Under the new provisional licence, Starlink must establish a physical presence in Uganda, register customer devices locally, and maintain technical and legal support operations inside the country.

Despite the excitement around the technology, concerns remain within government and security circles. Telecom experts note that while standard GSM mobile phones can often be traced within a few metres, Starlink satellite terminals are harder to pinpoint accurately, which could raise national security concerns.

Cost is another challenge. In many African markets, Starlink hardware currently costs more than $300, while monthly subscriptions are around $50, making the service too expensive for many households. Telecom partnerships with operators such as Airtel and MTN could reduce those barriers by integrating satellite connectivity into existing mobile plans instead of requiring separate subscriptions.

Competition in the satellite-to-mobile market is also increasing. Rival projects involving AST SpaceMobile, working alongside Vodafone and Vodacom, are developing similar low-earth orbit satellite services aimed at expanding mobile coverage across Africa.