Airtel launches smartphone connectivity to Starlink in the DRC
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Airtel Africa and Starlink commercially launched the Starlink Mobile service on August 14, enabling compatible smartphones to connect to satellites in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage. Customers can send SMS messages and use applications with low data consumption, including WhatsApp, Daily Maverick reports.
The service does not require a Starlink satellite dish or a separate device. It requires a compatible LTE Android smartphone, an active Airtel DRC data package or data roaming, as well as an unobstructed view of the sky. Airtel offered eligible customers a 30-day trial period; afterward, access will be provided within applicable data packages.
Connectivity without a satellite dish
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said that combining the operator's terrestrial network with Starlink satellite technology is intended to expand access to communications beyond existing mobile infrastructure. According to Airtel, the service is designed, among others, for transport and logistics companies, humanitarian organizations, medical workers, farmers, and mining enterprises operating outside regular coverage areas.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Previously, standard Starlink satellite internet required purchasing a kit with a dish, router, cables, and mounting equipment. An Ookla analysis cited by the publication estimated the cost of such equipment in African markets at between $200 and $700. At the end of 2025, the number of Starlink users in Africa was estimated at about 500,000, compared with 10 million worldwide.
Other operating models in Africa
In Uganda, provider Paratus launched a low-Earth-orbit Starlink service for corporate customers on August 24, after the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink signed an operational licensing agreement in May. The company offers satellite connectivity as part of its own network for businesses in remote areas, including in mining, healthcare, and tourism, as well as for non-governmental organizations and the public sector.
In Kenya, Airtel Africa and Starlink had already tested satellite connectivity for data and message transmission on compatible 4G smartphones in March 2026. Commercial launch there still requires approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
