By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
Elon Musk has revealed that SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is currently awaiting regulatory approval in South Africa. This update comes after a South African user expressed frustration on Twitter/X about the slow internet service available on his farm.
The user, who posted a photo of a fixed wireless-access antenna on his farm, complained about the inadequate 6Mbps connection that costs R900 per month. In response, Musk confirmed that Starlink is in the process of securing the necessary approvals to launch in South Africa, marking the first public update on the service’s local rollout since its launch timeline shifted to “unknown” in 2022.
Originally, Starlink’s coverage map projected a 2022 launch for South Africa, but this was later pushed to 2023 before being updated to “unknown.” The service recently expanded to Zimbabwe, becoming the 14th African country to offer Starlink.
In addition to the user’s post, venture capitalist Michael Jordaan also urged Musk to introduce Starlink and Tesla to South Africa, rallying support on social media to catch Musk’s attention. Despite this, the estimated service date in South Africa remains unclear, and interested customers can still reserve their pre-order with a $9 deposit.
Starlink requires an electronic communications services license to operate in South Africa, but the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has not yet confirmed if an application has been received. Icasa chair Mothibi Ramusi indicated that no application has been filed and deemed Starlink’s current roaming services in South Africa as “illegal.”
South Africa’s new communications minister, Solly Malatsi, expressed a willingness to engage with Starlink, highlighting the potential benefits of bridging the country’s digital divide. Malatsi noted that his department would be proactive in exploring opportunities for digital inclusion and would aim to address the regulatory challenges in the coming weeks.
Despite the legal uncertainties, many South African businesses and households in rural areas are already using Starlink’s roaming service, which is considered a “game-changer” for its high speeds and reliability in areas with limited connectivity.
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