Airtel and Starlink Launch Africa’s First Satellite-to-Mobile Service in DRC

Airtel Africa and Starlink have rolled out Africa’s inaugural commercial satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant milestone in extending connectivity across the continent.

The new service allows customers with compatible LTE Android smartphones to send WhatsApp messages and SMS from locations without terrestrial network coverage, as long as they have a clear view of the sky and an active Airtel DRC data bundle or roaming enabled.

From Pilot to Commercial Launch

The partnership between Airtel Africa and SpaceX, announced in May 2025, initially focused on satellite broadband solutions such as backhaul for rural cell towers and connectivity for remote schools and health centers. By March 2026, they had successfully piloted direct-to-cell technology in Kenya, demonstrating that standard 4G smartphones could connect directly to satellites without additional hardware.

The tests supported basic applications including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, maps, and mobile money transactions, though the service was limited to low data usage during the pilot phase.

Why DRC?

The DRC’s challenging geography, with vast areas covered by dense forest and limited road infrastructure, makes it an ideal candidate for satellite-to-mobile connectivity. Many communities lie beyond the reach of cell towers, leaving critical sectors like logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and humanitarian aid underserved.

Airtel aims to provide reliable communication for these groups, as well as emergency connectivity when terrestrial networks fail.

Official Statements and Next Steps

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar described the launch as a major achievement enabled by the collaboration with SpaceX. He emphasized the importance of combining terrestrial and satellite networks to broaden essential connectivity.

Taldar also acknowledged the role of the DRC telecoms ministry and regulator in facilitating the launch, highlighting that regulatory approval remains a key hurdle for expanding the service to other countries.

New users in the DRC can access a 30-day free trial through the My Airtel App, after which the service continues via eligible data bundles. While currently limited to Android devices, support for Apple products is expected soon.

Expansion beyond the DRC will depend on obtaining similar regulatory clearances in other Airtel markets, with Kenya likely to be next following the initial pilot there.