Airtel Launches First Commercial Satellite-to-Mobile Service in Democratic Republic of Congo

Airtel has made history by launching the first commercial satellite-to-mobile service in Africa, partnering with Starlink to bring connectivity to underserved communities. This development follows a successful pilot program and aligns with Airtel’s broader strategy to extend mobile reach across its 14 markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The new service allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink’s satellite network, offering voice, messaging, and data access without relying on traditional cellular towers. This is particularly crucial in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where vast distances and challenging terrain make infrastructure deployment economically difficult.

“This service provides an additional layer of connectivity, helping customers remain reachable, informed, and connected even in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable,” explained Thierry Diasnova, Managing Director of Airtel DRC.

The launch addresses a significant challenge for mobile operators seeking to extend services beyond urban centers. While nationwide 2G coverage stands at 77%, 3G at 68%, and 4G at 57%, millions remain unconnected, particularly in rural provinces like Tshuapa where coverage can be as low as 14%.

Airtel’s partnership with Starlink represents a new approach to bridging the digital divide by leveraging satellite technology to reach remote populations. This development follows similar initiatives from MTN Zambia and AXIAN Telecom, signaling growing interest in Direct-to-Cell (D2C) solutions across Africa.

The DRC launch serves as a proof-of-concept for Airtel’s expansion plans, with CEO Sunil Taldar noting that it will provide a “blueprint” for rolling out the service across other markets. As more operators explore satellite connectivity options, competition is expected to intensify, potentially benefiting consumers with expanded coverage and lower costs.