The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has reportedly kicked off a technical audit of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (D2C) technology as part of a review of Airtel Kenya’s application to offer the service in the country.
According to a report from ITWeb Africa on Tuesday, the CA is checking whether signals between mobile phones and Starlink’s LEO satellites will interfere with terrestrial 3G, 4G and 5G networks.
Starlink’s ‘Direct-to-Cell’ service uses the same spectrum that terrestrial operators use, as do rival direct-to-device satellite (D2D) services like Lynk Global and AST Spacemobile. Others, like Equatys (the JV between Viasat and Space42) use mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum.
Using existing terrestrial spectrum allows mobile subscribers to use their existing smartphones to access the service. However, this also raises the potential for interference between terrestrial and D2D satellite connections. MSS spectrum doesn't interfere with terrestrial networks but requires users to buy compatible handsets.
The CA is investigating to see if Starlink’s D2C transmissions comply with terrestrial mobile regulations and can provide a strong enough signal for mobile phones without drowning out local cell towers, the report said.
The audit will also help the CA define geographic and power limits for D2D transmissions, the report added.
ITWeb Africa quotes Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar as saying the D2C service is only meant to be used where terrestrial coverage doesn’t exist.
Airtel Africa signed a deal with SpaceX in December 2025 to launch Starlink D2C services across all of its 14 markets across Africa sometime this year, subject to local regulatory approval for each market.
The CA is expected to conclude the technical audit by the middle of this year, the report said.
