Airtel customers in Africa’s rural areas could stay connected even where mobile towers cannot reach as the telecoms company turns to satellite technology to close connectivity gaps.
Airtel Africa says its direct-to-device satellite service is now commercially deployed in underserved rural communities, allowing customers with compatible smartphones to connect beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile networks.
The service requires users to have a clear view of the sky.
The development is part of Airtel Africa’s wider push to improve the experience of its 183.5 million customers across 14 markets.
Speaking as the company marked Customer Service Week 2026, Airtel Africa chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said customers should expect the company to go further in responding to their needs.
This year’s Customer Service Week theme is “The Extra Mile.”
Taldar said the company was focused on listening to customers, learning from their experiences and acting on their expectations.
Over the past year, Airtel Africa has added more than 3,250 network sites and 3,200 kilometres of fibre, investments aimed at improving network coverage and capacity.
For customers dealing with unwanted and potentially fraudulent text messages, Airtel has also introduced an AI-powered Spam Alert service.
The free service identifies and blocks suspected spam SMS messages while giving subscribers real-time updates.
Airtel Africa says it is also expanding its retail outlets and other distribution channels while using artificial intelligence to improve customers’ digital experience.
Employees across the company’s 14 markets will join frontline teams during Customer Service Week to engage directly with customers and identify ways of improving service delivery.
