Airtel Africa and SpaceX have commercially launched Starlink’s direct-to-phone satellite connectivity service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the first commercial deployment in an African market.
Launched on 14 August 2026, the service enables eligible Airtel customers with compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites in areas where conventional mobile coverage is unavailable.
Unlike Starlink’s traditional satellite broadband service, the new offering does not require customers to purchase or install a satellite dish. Instead, compatible smartphones connect directly to satellites that effectively operate as mobile towers in space.
The initial service is focused on basic connectivity, offering SMS and selected light-data applications, including WhatsApp messaging. It does not currently provide unrestricted high-speed internet, video streaming or the full range of services available through conventional mobile networks.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar described the launch as a significant milestone for the company and its partnership with SpaceX.
“By combining Airtel’s terrestrial network with Starlink’s satellite technology, we are extending essential connectivity beyond the limits of conventional mobile infrastructure,” Taldar said.
He added that the experience gained through the DRC deployment would help support the gradual rollout of the service across Airtel Africa’s other markets, subject to regulatory approvals in each country.
The service is initially available on compatible LTE Android smartphones, with support for Apple devices expected to follow.
Customers must have an active Airtel DRC data bundle or enable data roaming on their devices. Eligible subscribers can register through the MyAirtel application and receive access at no additional charge during an introductory 30-day trial.
Airtel has not yet disclosed whether it will introduce dedicated Starlink bundles or what satellite connectivity will cost after the introductory period ends.
Airtel DRC Chief Executive Officer Thierry Diasonama said the country’s vast geography and challenging terrain leave many communities outside the reach of conventional telecommunications infrastructure.
The satellite service, he said, provides an additional layer of connectivity that can help customers remain reachable and informed in locations where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
The technology could be particularly valuable for industries and organisations operating in remote environments, including mining, transport and logistics, agriculture, healthcare and humanitarian operations.
It could also provide a communications lifeline during natural disasters, conflicts and temporary outages affecting terrestrial mobile networks.
The commercial launch represents a significant shift in the DRC’s approach to Starlink.
Congolese authorities had previously prohibited Starlink terminals over concerns that the technology could potentially be exploited by armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 movement operating in the country’s east.
That position changed on 2 May 2025, when the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority granted Starlink DRC SA a licence to operate a telecommunications network and provide telecommunications services.
Starlink’s conventional satellite broadband service subsequently became available in the country, although it requires users to install dedicated satellite equipment.
The Airtel deployment is fundamentally different. By connecting compatible smartphones directly to satellites, it eliminates the need for a separate terminal or dish.
The approach could be particularly relevant in the DRC, which has one of Africa’s largest connectivity gaps. International Telecommunication Union data indicates that only around 30% of the country’s population used the internet in 2023.
The DRC’s enormous landmass, dense forests, difficult terrain, security challenges, and dispersed communities make deploying and maintaining terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure particularly costly.
Direct-to-phone satellite connectivity could allow Airtel to extend basic services into some underserved areas without immediately building additional mobile towers.
However, the service still depends on customers having compatible LTE smartphones. Smartphone affordability, data costs and limited digital skills could therefore constrain adoption, particularly among lower-income rural communities.
Airtel Africa and SpaceX announced their Direct-to-Cell partnership on 16 December 2025, with plans to introduce Starlink’s satellite-to-phone technology across Airtel’s 14 African markets.
The operator has a presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Gabon, Seychelles, Madagascar, the Republic of Congo and the DRC.
The companies successfully tested Starlink Mobile’s messaging and data capabilities in Kenya in March 2026, including in locations outside Airtel’s terrestrial network footprint.
The DRC has now become the first Airtel market where the technology has moved from testing into commercial customer access.
According to Airtel, Starlink currently has around 650 satellites capable of supporting direct connections with mobile phones. Future generations of satellites are expected to deliver significantly higher data speeds and expand the service’s capabilities.
However, expansion across Airtel Africa’s remaining markets will not happen automatically. Airtel and SpaceX will need to secure the necessary regulatory and spectrum approvals in each country before activating the service.
The partnership could strengthen Airtel’s position as African telecommunications operators increasingly explore low-Earth-orbit satellite technology to extend network coverage.
Vodacom has also partnered with Starlink across several African markets, while Amazon is preparing to introduce its competing satellite internet service in South Africa in 2027.
For now, the DRC represents an important first commercial test of whether direct-to-phone satellite connectivity can move beyond demonstrations and become a practical tool for extending basic mobile services to underserved communities across Africa.
