Congo-Kinshasa: Airtel Africa Launches First Satellite-to - Mobile Services in DRC

Congo-Kinshasa: Airtel Africa Launches First Satellite-to - Mobile Services in DRC

Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched a satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), making it the first country in Africa where the service has entered commercial deployment, according to the companies.

Airtel and Starlink Just Turned Phones Into Satellite Receivers in Congo

A phone with no signal bars can now send a WhatsApp message from the Congolese forest. Airtel Africa and Starlink switched on a commercial satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 14, 2026, in Kinshasa. It is the first time the technology has moved from pilot testing to a paid product anywhere [...] The post Airtel and Starlink Just Turned Phones Into Satellite Receivers in Congo appeared first on Khusoko - Your …

Airtel, Starlink launch satellite-to-mobile service in DRC

Airtel Africa and Starlink have commercially launched satellite-to-mobile connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the first time the service has moved beyond pilot testing to full commercial deployment anywhere on the continent. The service was unveiled in Kinshasa on August 14, allowing Airtel customers with compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink’s satellites in areas lacking conventional network coverage, prov…

Airtel Africa has Launched Africa's First Commercial Direct-to-Device Service in Partnership with Starlink

Airtel Africa, in collaboration with Starlink, has launched commercial operations of a satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first commercial rollout of its kind in Africa, the announcement follows the successful testing of data and messaging services with Starlink Mobile, Starlink's Direct-to-Cell network technology, in Kenya earlier in March.