Airtel Switches On a Satellite Phone Link in the DR Congo
Airtel Congo has switched on a Starlink satellite link for ordinary Android handsets, the first commercial service of its kind on the continent. The post Airtel Switches On a Satellite Phone Link in the DR Congo appeared first on The Rio Times .
Airtel Congo RDC launched a commercial satellite phone link in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 14 August 2026. The service, called Airtel Starlink DRC, connects ordinary Android handsets directly to SpaceX satellites without the need for a dish or extra equipment. The launch event was attended by the telecoms regulator, ARPTC.
The service primarily supports text messages and low-bandwidth applications like WhatsApp messaging, with data available on over 40 apps and more than 100 device models. Customers receive a 30-day free trial through the MyAirtel app before the service is bundled into certain data plans. Airtel Africa partnered with SpaceX in December 2025 and tested the service in Kenya in March 2026 before launching it in Kinshasa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, similar in size to western Europe, has limited mobile coverage and few mobile towers, making satellite-to-mobile services a practical solution for reaching remote areas.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
