Starlink in talks with DRC operators to expand connectivity

SpaceX’s satellite internet unit Starlink is reportedly in talks with operators in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to expand coverage to remote and underserved areas.

Africell DRC CEO Kory Webster told Semafor the operator is in “active conversation” with Starlink over a potential partnership. A Vodacom executive also confirmed discussions for a “complementary” service aimed at connecting “hard-to-reach areas.”

Starlink received its operating licence in May after the government reversed an earlier ban on the company. The DRC faces significant connectivity gaps due to slow fibre rollout and limited terrestrial infrastructure. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 30% of the population had internet access in 2023, underscoring the country’s vast untapped potential.

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