DRC : TECHz – News Desk
In a landmark move for African telecommunications, Airtel Africa and SpaceX’s Starlink have commercially launched their direct-to-cell satellite service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The rollout marks the first commercial activation of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology anywhere on the African continent, allowing millions of people to connect to the internet in areas entirely devoid of traditional terrestrial mobile infrastructure. The new service eliminates the need for expensive satellite dishes or specialized routers, transforming Starlink’s constellation of over 650 satellites into mobile towers in space. The technology connects directly to compatible LTE Android smartphones, requiring only an active Airtel DRC data bundle or enabled data roaming, with Apple device support expected in the future.
At launch, the service operates within tight power and spectrum limits using the 1965 MHz and 2155 MHz bands, delivering speeds below 1 megabit per second. This bandwidth provides sufficient connectivity for light data applications like WhatsApp messaging and SMS, though it does not yet support video streaming or full web browsing. The sheer scale and challenging geography of the DRC make building and maintaining traditional cell towers – which can cost up to $150,000 each in remote terrain – economically unviable in many regions.
Airtel DRC Managing Director Thierry Diasnova noted that the direct-to-cell service provides a vital additional layer of connectivity, helping users remain reachable in areas where traditional coverage simply does not exist. The service primarily targets rural communities, transport and logistics operators, health workers, and humanitarian organizations, while also providing a fail-safe communications network during natural disasters. SpaceX’s local subsidiary secured an operating license from the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in May 2025, clearing the regulatory path ahead of other nations.
The DRC deployment represents the first commercial transition following a successful pilot testing phase in Kenya during March 2026. Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar called the commercial launch a significant milestone, stating that the experience gained in the DRC will serve as a blueprint for progressively expanding the satellite-to-mobile service across all 14 of Airtel Africa’s operating markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. With 64% of the African population still lacking mobile internet access, this strategic partnership aims to systematically eliminate dead zones and close the continent’s digital connectivity gap.
