Satellite internet provider, Starlink, is expanding a new technology that allows ordinary mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in areas without terrestrial network coverage, a development that comes as Nigeria evaluates regulatory options for similar services.
The capability, known as Direct to Cell, enables standard 4G LTE smartphones to send messages, make calls and access mobile applications even in locations where traditional telecoms towers are unavailable.
The service, according to the technology company, is already commercially available in the United States and New Zealand through partnerships between Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, and mobile operators such as T-Mobile and One NZ.
The capability, known as Direct to Cell, enables standard 4G LTE smartphones to send messages, make calls and access mobile applications even in locations where traditional telecoms towers are unavailable.
Nigeria exploring satellite-to-phone connectivity
The global rollout of satellite-to-mobile connectivity is being closely watched in Nigeria, where the telecoms regulator is already examining how the technology could be integrated into the country’s communications ecosystem.
An earlier report by Technology Times shows that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is considering a regulatory framework for Satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) services that would allow mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without relying entirely on terrestrial base stations.
The Commission’s consultation process is aimed at determining whether existing telecom licences are sufficient to support such services or whether a dedicated licensing category is required for satellite-to-mobile connectivity.
Regulators believe the technology could help address persistent connectivity gaps across Nigeria, particularly in rural and riverine communities where mobile towers remain sparse due to high infrastructure costs and difficult terrain.
According to the NCC, more than 23 million Nigerians live in access-gap clusters where conventional mobile infrastructure has struggled to deliver reliable coverage, making alternative connectivity solutions increasingly important.
Starlink: How satellite-to-mobile networks work
Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell network effectively transforms satellites into orbiting cellular towers capable of transmitting LTE signals directly to smartphones.
Each satellite carries an eNodeB modem, the same type of radio equipment used in terrestrial mobile base stations. Orbiting a few hundred kilometres above Earth, the satellites communicate with mobile phones using advanced phased-array antennas and specialised signal processing technology designed to overcome challenges such as Doppler shift, latency and low handset transmission power.
The satellites connect to ground infrastructure through laser links and integrate with partner mobile networks, allowing subscribers to remain on their existing operators while using satellite connectivity when outside terrestrial coverage.
Starlink says the system works with any LTE smartphone without hardware modifications, firmware updates or specialised applications, as long as the device has a clear line of sight to the sky.
Emergency and off-grid communications
Satellite-to-mobile connectivity has already been used during natural disasters and emergency situations.
Following hurricanes and wildfires in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission authorised temporary activation of Starlink Direct-to-Cell services, allowing mobile users outside terrestrial coverage to send text messages and receive emergency alerts through satellite links, the company says.
Such capabilities are particularly relevant for countries like Nigeria, where fibre cuts, power outages and infrastructure vandalism frequently disrupt telecom networks.
The NCC has noted that satellite direct-to-device connectivity could act as a fallback communication layer during network outages and natural disasters while supporting public safety communications and emergency response.
Potential impact on Nigeria’s telecoms market
Satellite-to-mobile technology is emerging as part of a broader global shift towards non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), where space-based systems complement terrestrial telecom infrastructure.
In Nigeria, the technology could play a role in expanding digital inclusion by extending connectivity to remote settlements, border communities and areas affected by insecurity.
For mobile operators, satellite partnerships may offer a way to meet rural coverage obligations and improve network resilience without building expensive new infrastructure such as towers, fibre backhaul and power systems.
At the same time, policymakers are seeking to ensure that satellite-to-mobile services complement, rather than undermine, Nigeria’s existing mobile ecosystem dominated by operators such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria.
As the NCC’s consultation continues, the emergence of services like Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell network is highlighting how satellite technology could reshape the future of mobile connectivity, potentially bringing seamless coverage to areas that have long remained outside the reach of traditional telecoms infrastructure.
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