Manny Ita –
Starlink has announced plans to launch a new generation of satellites capable of delivering full cellular connectivity, including 5G services, directly to smartphones without the need for traditional ground-based infrastructure.
The satellite internet company, operated by SpaceX and founded by Elon Musk, said its upcoming Starlink Mobile V2 satellites are designed to power what it described as the highest-performing satellite-to-mobile network developed so far.
According to the company, the system will allow smartphones to connect seamlessly to mobile networks from virtually any location, complementing terrestrial telecom infrastructure and helping to expand connectivity in underserved regions, including rural communities in Nigeria.
Starlink said the Mobile V2 satellites are powered by custom silicon developed by SpaceX and equipped with advanced phased-array antennas capable of supporting thousands of spatial beams.
The design, the company explained, provides significantly higher bandwidth and up to 20 times more throughput than the first-generation satellites currently used in its network.
The increased capacity is expected to enable high-speed mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones, allowing users to carry out activities such as video streaming, video calls, podcast listening and remote work without relying solely on terrestrial mobile towers.
“In most environments, Starlink Mobile V2 will enable full 5G cellular connectivity with a comparable experience to current terrestrial service,” the company said.
Starlink noted that the system is designed to integrate with existing telecom networks, enabling smartphones to switch automatically between satellite coverage and ground-based 5G infrastructure without service disruption.
Industry analysts say satellite-to-mobile connectivity is becoming a major innovation in the global telecommunications sector as operators seek cost-effective ways to extend network coverage.
Unlike conventional satellite broadband services that require a dedicated dish or terminal, the emerging direct-to-cell technology enables ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites using existing mobile spectrum.
In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission has already indicated interest in satellite-powered mobile connectivity as part of efforts to improve nationwide network coverage.
In its draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030), the commission said Direct-to-Device satellite services could significantly expand voice and data connectivity in remote and underserved communities.
“In Nigeria, D2D connectivity could play a transformative role by extending voice and data coverage to signal blackspots, vast rural, riverine, and border communities currently beyond the reach of mobile towers,” the commission stated.
“It would also strengthen network resilience, serving as a fallback during fibre cuts, power outages, or emergencies that disrupt terrestrial networks,” it added.
Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service is expected to be deployed through partnerships with telecom operators rather than being offered directly to consumers.
Under this model, mobile network operators can rely on satellite connectivity to bridge coverage gaps in areas where building cell towers may be technically difficult or commercially unviable.
In Africa, Airtel Africa recently signed an agreement with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology across its 14 operating markets, including Nigeria, allowing customers to connect directly to satellites when outside terrestrial network coverage.
Similarly, MTN Group has disclosed that it is in discussions with several satellite service providers, including Starlink, as it explores ways to expand connectivity to remote areas across its markets.
