While the official Starlink coverage map indicates that the service date for South Africa is "unknown at this time," those eager for this service to launch should monitor this page and revisit it periodically. The reason for this is that upcoming regulatory changes could enable Starlink to enter the African market before the end of 2025.
Regulatory Changes Ahead
Local news reports mention that the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has announced plans to implement new regulations under the Electronic Communications Act, which oversees sectors like telecommunications and broadcasting.
At present, a key challenge for Starlink is the requirement that companies seeking telecom licenses must have at least 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups. However, there's a silver lining: Elon Musk appears to have political backing. In September, he met with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in New York.
Public Feedback Expected
The DCDT is set to release a notice early next year, inviting public feedback on the proposed changes to the policy. If the process goes as planned, the adjustments could be finalized by mid-2025, allowing Starlink to arrive in South Africa soon after. So far, Starlink has engaged in multiple discussions with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) regarding this issue, but no licensing application has been submitted at this point. The satellite internet services from Elon Musk's company are already accessible in neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique.
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