Airtel and Starlink launch Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in DRC  

Airtel Africa Plc, the pan-African telecommunications provider and Elon Musk’s Starlink have launched a satellite-to-phone service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, giving mobile users a way to stay connected in areas beyond the reach of conventional networks. 

The commercial service, launched Aug. 14, allows eligible Airtel customers with compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites. Unlike Starlink’s traditional broadband service, users do not need a satellite dish or other dedicated equipment. 

For now, the service focuses on SMS and selected low-bandwidth applications, including WhatsApp messaging. It does not offer the full internet experience available through conventional mobile networks, such as high-speed video streaming.

Extending coverage beyond towers 

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said the DRC launch combines the company’s terrestrial network with SpaceX’s satellite technology and could help bring basic connectivity to communities outside traditional network coverage. 

The DRC is a natural starting point. Its vast territory, difficult terrain and dispersed population make it costly to build and maintain mobile towers in some remote areas. The service could prove useful for miners, farmers, transport companies, health workers and humanitarian groups working far from major towns. 

It could also provide a communications link when floods, conflict or other emergencies disrupt terrestrial networks. 

Customers need a compatible LTE Android smartphone, an active Airtel DRC data bundle or data roaming enabled on their device. Airtel is offering eligible users a free 30-day introductory period through the MyAirtel app. The company has yet to disclose pricing for the service after the trial. Apple devices are expected to gain support later.

DRC moves from ban to launch 

The deployment marks a significant change in the DRC’s approach to Starlink. 

Authorities previously banned Starlink terminals over security concerns, including fears that armed groups could use the technology. The regulator later granted Starlink DRC SA a telecommunications network and services licence on May 2, 2025, allowing the SpaceX subsidiary to operate as an internet service provider. 

Traditional Starlink broadband followed, but customers still needed dedicated equipment. Airtel’s new service is different: the phone itself communicates with satellites overhead. 

The need is considerable. About 30% of the DRC’s population used the internet in 2023, according to International Telecommunication Union data. Even so, affordability could limit adoption because users still need compatible smartphones and mobile data.

Airtel targets 14 African markets 

Airtel Africa and SpaceX announced their Direct-to-Cell partnership in December 2025, with plans to introduce the technology across Airtel’s 14 African markets. 

The company has already tested the service in Kenya, where the partners demonstrated messaging and data capabilities in areas without Airtel network coverage. The DRC is now the first market where the service has moved from testing to commercial use. Expansion elsewhere will depend on regulatory and spectrum approvals. 

The deal also places Airtel alongside other African telecom operators exploring satellite connectivity. Vodacom has a separate partnership with Starlink, while Amazon is preparing to enter the South African satellite internet market. 

The DRC launch gives Airtel and SpaceX an early test of whether satellite-to-phone technology can become a practical extension of Africa’s mobile networks rather than remain a niche service for remote locations. 

Airtel Africa reported first-quarter revenue of $1.853 billion for the period ended June 30, up 31% from a year earlier. Profit after tax rose 27% to $198 million. 

SpaceX, meanwhile, reported second-quarter revenue of about $7.8 billion, up 92% from a year earlier, with Starlink remaining a major contributor to the business.