Airtel Africa and SpaceX’s Starlink have launched a satellite-to-phone service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking what the companies describe as the first commercial deployment of Starlink’s direct-to-phone technology in Africa.
The service, commercially launched on August 14, 2026, enables eligible Airtel customers with compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites without requiring a satellite dish or specialised equipment. The technology is designed to provide connectivity in areas where traditional mobile network coverage is unavailable, potentially improving communication access in remote and underserved parts of the DRC.
The launch represents a significant development for Africa’s telecommunications sector, where difficult terrain, large distances and infrastructure costs have made it challenging to provide conventional mobile coverage to every community.
With satellite-to-phone technology, users can potentially remain connected in areas beyond the reach of traditional cellular towers, expanding the possibilities for mobile communication across the continent.
