Safaricom has begun testing Starlink satellite technology to connect parts of its mobile network, in a move that could reduce infrastructure costs and improve connectivity in underserved areas across Kenya.
Group Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa disclosed the development during the company's half-year 2027 investor earnings call on November 5, saying the initial focus was on satellite backhaul, which connects mobile network infrastructure to the wider telecommunications network.
"Primarily, to the backhaul piece, which we are testing," Ndegwa told investors.
The trials form part of a broader partnership between Vodacom Group, Safaricom's parent company, and Starlink, announced in November 2025 to integrate low-Earth-orbit satellite technology into mobile networks across Africa.
Satellite backhaul could allow Safaricom to replace some older connectivity links used to connect mobile base stations, particularly in locations where installing fibre or maintaining traditional transmission infrastructure is expensive.
The technology uses satellites to relay data between network sites and the wider internet, potentially reducing dependence on ground-based connections.
Ndegwa said the arrangement could lower operating costs while improving network efficiency and extending coverage to areas that have historically been difficult or expensive to serve.
The company is also considering reselling Starlink broadband services to Kenyan customers and businesses once outstanding regulatory and licensing requirements are clarified.
Under the proposed arrangement, Safaricom could package satellite internet services for customers who need reliable connectivity in locations where conventional broadband infrastructure is unavailable or limited.
The third area under consideration is direct-to-device satellite connectivity, which could eventually allow compatible mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without relying on conventional mobile towers.
However, Ndegwa described direct-to-device services as an area still under development, citing questions around service quality, available technology and regulatory requirements.
He also indicated that Safaricom was willing to work with other satellite operators rather than depend exclusively on Starlink.
The partnership follows Vodacom's agreement with Starlink to use satellite technology to strengthen mobile network coverage and offer broadband services to enterprise and small-business customers across its African markets.
Despite the progress, implementation in Kenya has faced regulatory delays. Ndegwa said Starlink's broader service expansion remained subject to clarification of licensing requirements by local authorities.
The development comes as Safaricom continues investing in its network, with the company reporting that nearly one-third of its base stations are now covered by 5G technology.
For consumers and businesses outside major urban centres, satellite backhaul could help improve the reliability and reach of mobile services without requiring conventional infrastructure to be deployed everywhere.
For Safaricom, the potential gains extend beyond coverage. Lower backhaul costs could improve network economics, while satellite partnerships could open new revenue opportunities in broadband and enterprise connectivity.
However, the extent of the benefits will depend on the outcome of the trials, commercial terms and regulatory approvals before the services can be rolled out more widely.
