Starlink expands African services with new Kenya plans and DRC mobile launch

Starlink is expanding its footprint in Africa through new service offerings in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In Kenya, Starlink has introduced a ‘Residential Lite’ internet plan priced at KSh 4,000 per month. This budget-friendly option offers download speeds of up to 200 Mbps and is designed for single households or individuals performing everyday tasks such as streaming, remote work, and light gaming. It serves as a lower-cost alternative to the standard Residential plan, which is priced at KSh 6,500 per month.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Starlink and Airtel Africa have launched the ‘Direct-to-Cell’ service, marking the first commercial rollout of satellite-to-mobile technology on the continent. This service allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites for light data applications, such as SMS and WhatsApp, in areas lacking terrestrial network coverage. While current speeds are below 1 Mbps, the service requires no additional hardware or dishes. Airtel Africa intends to expand this service across its 14 African markets following regulatory approvals.