Elon Musk’s Starlink launches Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service with Airtel 

Starlink, founded by Elon Musk, which is active in 28 African countries and territories, and expanding rapidly across the continent since its regional debut in Nigeria in early 2023, has launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service, in collaboration with Airtel Africa.

The commercial service, launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marks what the two companies describe as the first such deployment of the technology in Africa.

According to the technology, all compatible android smartphones can readily connect to Starlink satellites anywhere Airtel’s terrestrial network is unavailable.

Starlink has about 650 satellites equipped to support direct connections with mobile phones. In partnership with Airtel, the global satellite company plans to use a new generation of satellites to provide significantly faster data services in the future.

The company’s major markets in Africa include Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and recently the Seychelles, while key nations like South Africa remain unavailable due to local regulatory and ownership frameworks

At the time being, the just-launched satellite-to-phone service does not yet provide unrestricted high-speed internet, video streaming or all the services available through a conventional mobile network. It is, so far, limited to short message service (SMS) and selected light-data applications, including WhatsApp messaging.

In addition, Airtel says it will expand the technology across its 14 African markets, subject to regulatory approval. The company serves customers in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Gabon, Seychelles, Madagascar, the Republic of Congo and the DRC.

The choice of DRC stems from the country’s wide connectivity gap. Survey shows that the country has Africa’s largest connectivity gap. For example, data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said, in 2023, only about 30 percent of the country’s population used the internet.

Also, the country’s large landmass, forests, difficult terrain, security challenges and dispersed communities make the construction and maintenance of conventional mobile towers extremely expensive.

Under the satellite-to-phone service, all eligible Airtel customers and users are allowed to connect their compatible android-powered smartphones directly to Starlink satellites in areas that are not serviced by conventional mobile phone coverage.

In particular, customers do not need to purchase or install a satellite dish in their homes, unlike Starlink’s traditional internet service. Every compatible smartphone connects directly to satellites that function like mobile phone towers in space.

Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer, said, “The first-ever commercial launch of Starlink Mobile in Africa is a significant milestone for Airtel Africa through our partnership with SpaceX”.

Taldar said, “By combining Airtel’s terrestrial network with Starlink’s satellite technology, we are extending essential connectivity beyond the limits of conventional mobile infrastructure”.

According to the Airtel Africa boss, experience from the DRC launch would support the gradual expansion of the service across Airtel Africa’s other markets, subject to regulatory approvals in each country.

The service is particularly available on compatible LTE android-powered smartphones. The company said it soon introduce the support for Apple devices.

However, to be eligible, customers must have an active Airtel DRC data bundle or enable data roaming on their devices.

The company said the service is expected to be useful to mining companies, transport and logistics operators, farmers, health workers and humanitarian organisations operating in remote areas. It could also provide basic communication during natural disasters, conflicts or temporary disruptions to terrestrial mobile networks.

Also, eligible subscribers can register through the MyAirtel application and receive free access for an introductory 30-day period. Airtel said customers would continue accessing the service through eligible data bundles after the trial.

So far, the company has not said whether special Starlink bundles will be introduced or how much satellite connectivity will cost after the free trial.

Thierry Diasonama, the chief executive officer of Airtel DRC, said the country’s size and geography mean many people live and work outside the reach of conventional telecommunications infrastructure.

“This service provides an additional layer of connectivity, helping customers remain reachable, informed and connected even in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable,” Diasonama said.

Starlink joined the DRC’s $400 million nationwide mobile phone expansion plan six months after recieving operational licence.

Telecom experts say the satellite-to-phone launch represents a significant turnaround for Starlink in the DRC. Recall that Congolese authorities previously prohibited Starlink terminals from operating in the country over concerns that the technology could be used by armed groups, including the M23 rebel movement operating in the country’s eastern region, backed by Rwanda.

Starlink’s conventional satellite broadband service subsequently became available in the DRC. However, that service requires users to install dedicated Starlink equipment.

However, the latest Airtel deployment is different as it connects mobile phones directly to satellites without a separate terminal or dish.

Direct-to-phone satellite coverage offers Airtel an opportunity to extend basic connectivity into some of these areas without immediately building additional terrestrial infrastructure.

The service still depends on customers owning compatible LTE smartphones. However, device affordability, data costs and limited digital skills could restrict its initial reach among poorer rural households in Africa.

Airtel and Starlink successfully tested Starlink’s mobile data and messaging capabilities in Kenya in March 2026. The tests were conducted in locations where Airtel’s terrestrial network was unavailable.

DRC became the first market on the continent where the service has progressed from testing to commercial access.

Telecom experts opine that the credible partnership could strengthen Airtel’s competition with MTN, Vodacom and other African telecommunications companies seeking to use low-Earth orbit satellites to extend coverage.

Meanwhile, reports said Vodacom has entered a partnership with Starlink covering several African markets, while Amazon plans to begin offering its competing satellite internet service in South Africa by 2027.