Airtel DRC Partners SpaceX To Launch Direct-To-Cell Satellite Service In Congo

By Ross Reporter Airtel DRC is set to launch Direct-to-Cellular satellite services in partnership with SpaceX, a move that will allow Airtel subscribers in the Democratic Republic of Congo to connect directly to satellites from their normal phones, even in areas with no network towers.

In a letter dated 31 July 2026 addressed to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. SpaceX in Hawthorne, USA, Airtel DRC confirmed it will soon roll out D2C operations nationwide.

How The Service Will Wor according to the letter, the proposed direct-to-cell operations will use:
– 1965 MHz for uplink, earth to space
– 2155 MHz><for downlink, space to earth
– EARFCN: 475

Airtel DRC said the service will run on nation-wide licensed spectrum that it holds under a license from the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in DRC.

“Operations of direct to cell services in DRC will exclusively use the licensed spectrum specified above, which Airtel DRC holds under the exclusive license granted by DRC government,” the letter reads.

Regulatory Compliance has been Confirmed.