Free Reads Starlink Goes From Rival To Ally With Africa’s Top Telcos In Surprise Shift By Henry Nzekwe  |  December 17, 2025 When SpaceX’s Starlink first launched, many industry observers braced for a showdown. The satellite internet venture, led by Elon Musk, was seen as a classic disruptor poised to bypass traditional mobile operators and connect millions of people beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. But in a strategic pivot, Starlink is now joining forces with the very companies it once seemed likely to challenge, in Africa and elsewhere. Over the past few weeks, two of Africa’s largest telecom groups, Airtel Africa and Vodacom, have struck separate deals to integrate Starlink’s satellite technology into their services. Rather than clashing with incumbents who initially also mounted a fightback upon Starlink’s arrival, the space-based network is becoming a back-end ally, helping telcos extend coverage into rural and remote areas where laying fibre or building masts is economically unviable. This week…