Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched the first commercial satellite-to-phone service in Africa, known as Starlink Mobile, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on August 14, 2026.

• Airtel DRC customers with compatible Android smartphones can send SMS and use light data apps, including WhatsApp, in areas without mobile coverage.
• This service utilizes Starlink's Direct to Cell technology, where satellites act as mobile base stations, broadcasting on existing 4G frequencies.
• Kenya tested the service earlier but faces regulatory hurdles, including potential interference assessments and licensing fees as high as KES 45 million for 25 years.