South Africa missing as Starlink launches in Madagascar, 5 other countries​

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has landed in Madagascar, marking the 10th African nation to enjoy its high-speed connectivity. This makes South Africa the only country in the southern region yet to receive official confirmation for access.

With this launch, Madagascar boasts the continent’s most affordable Starlink hardware, priced at MGA 1,120,000 ($247.49). Zambia previously held the title for the cheapest hardware at ZMW 8,000 ($302.99).

In Madagascar, shipping and handling fees are set at MGA 109,000 ($23.56), and the monthly roaming subscription costs MGA 451,200 ($99.73). While this subscription fee is higher, with Nigeria offering the cheapest at ₦49,000 ($32) and Mozambique at R2,101 ($114.31), the value proposition remains strong.

An early adopter promotion offers a 29% discount until July 13 to sweeten the deal for users in Madagascar.

For added convenience, Starlink offers two additional accessories: an Ethernet adapter for MGA 351,000 ($77.58) and a 45-metre cable for MGA 648,000 ($143.20).

The launch in Madagascar comes shortly after announcing a timeframe for service activation in Lesotho, leaving South Africa as the only Southern African country without confirmed access. Out of Africa’s 54 countries, only 15 lack an estimated availability timeframe.

The service has already launched in two of South Africa’s neighbouring countries — Eswatini and Mozambique. Namibia is slated to receive coverage in 2024, with Zimbabwe and Botswana following around the same time as Lesotho. By year-end, South Africa will be surrounded by countries enjoying its satellite internet access.

What is Starlink’s hold-up in South Africa?

It was reported in April that Starlink is not going to work in South Africa because the company didn’t want to share ownership with locals as per the government’s requirements.

Starlink refused to comply with the country’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) requirements to gift 30% ownership to local historically disadvantaged people. Also, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and the Minister of Communications have failed to issue new communications licences in about 13 years.

Icasa says it has not received any application for a licence from Starlink, nor has the company approached the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT), according to a report.

“It is of utmost importance to note that all licence applications have to go through Icasa and not DCDT,” they said.

Ironically, Icasa has not yet enacted its new regulations, leaving the future of Starlink in South Africa uncertain. The delay and confusion surrounding these regulations may have rendered Starlink’s withdrawal unnecessary.

However, in another report this July, it is said that Starlink’s satellite Internet service has remained online in South Africa for over two months despite warnings that it would cut off people using its roaming service in areas with no official support. The broadband service’s roaming has been working in South Africa since at least early 2023.

Another Southern African country, Botswana, in February, through the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) initially banned the internet service, warning of legal repercussions for those who defy the ban.

BOCRA cited the company’s failure to meet all requirements. In an email statement, BOCRA emphasised that Starlink has not authorised any entity to import or resell its Internet kits in Botswana. Offenders will be committing an offence, although the specific charges remain undisclosed.

However, in May, Botswana granted an operating licence to Starlink, three weeks after a government delegation met with the SpaceX team in the US. 

Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations, Ben MacWilliams Director, Global Licensing & Activation, Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director, Global Licensing Activation, President Mokgweetsi Masisi

“After the meeting [with SpaceX], I immediately decided to agree to the licensing of Starlink in the country,” President Masisi said.

President Masisi said that he had given the regulator two weeks to fast-track Starlink’s license application following the meeting.

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SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has landed in Madagascar, marking the 10th African nation to enjoy its high-speed connectivity. This makes South Africa the only country in the southern region yet to receive official confirmation for access.

With this launch, Madagascar boasts the continent’s most affordable Starlink hardware, priced at MGA 1,120,000 ($247.49). Zambia previously held the title for the cheapest hardware at ZMW 8,000 ($302.99).

In Madagascar, shipping and handling fees are set at MGA 109,000 ($23.56), and the monthly roaming subscription costs MGA 451,200 ($99.73). While this subscription fee is higher, with Nigeria offering the cheapest at ₦49,000 ($32) and Mozambique at R2,101 ($114.31), the value proposition remains strong.

An early adopter promotion offers a 29% discount until July 13 to sweeten the deal for users in Madagascar.

For added convenience, Starlink offers two additional accessories: an Ethernet adapter for MGA 351,000 ($77.58) and a 45-metre cable for MGA 648,000 ($143.20).

The launch in Madagascar comes shortly after announcing a timeframe for service activation in Lesotho, leaving South Africa as the only Southern African country without confirmed access. Out of Africa’s 54 countries, only 15 lack an estimated availability timeframe.

The service has already launched in two of South Africa’s neighbouring countries — Eswatini and Mozambique. Namibia is slated to receive coverage in 2024, with Zimbabwe and Botswana following around the same time as Lesotho. By year-end, South Africa will be surrounded by countries enjoying its satellite internet access.

What is Starlink’s hold-up in South Africa?

It was reported in April that Starlink is not going to work in South Africa because the company didn’t want to share ownership with locals as per the government’s requirements.

Starlink refused to comply with the country’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) requirements to gift 30% ownership to local historically disadvantaged people. Also, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and the Minister of Communications have failed to issue new communications licences in about 13 years.

Icasa says it has not received any application for a licence from Starlink, nor has the company approached the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT), according to a report.

“It is of utmost importance to note that all licence applications have to go through Icasa and not DCDT,” they said.

Ironically, Icasa has not yet enacted its new regulations, leaving the future of Starlink in South Africa uncertain. The delay and confusion surrounding these regulations may have rendered Starlink’s withdrawal unnecessary.

However, in another report this July, it is said that Starlink’s satellite Internet service has remained online in South Africa for over two months despite warnings that it would cut off people using its roaming service in areas with no official support. The broadband service’s roaming has been working in South Africa since at least early 2023.

Another Southern African country, Botswana, in February, through the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) initially banned the internet service, warning of legal repercussions for those who defy the ban.

BOCRA cited the company’s failure to meet all requirements. In an email statement, BOCRA emphasised that Starlink has not authorised any entity to import or resell its Internet kits in Botswana. Offenders will be committing an offence, although the specific charges remain undisclosed.

However, in May, Botswana granted an operating licence to Starlink, three weeks after a government delegation met with the SpaceX team in the US. 

Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations, Ben MacWilliams Director, Global Licensing & Activation, Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director, Global Licensing Activation, President Mokgweetsi Masisi

“After the meeting [with SpaceX], I immediately decided to agree to the licensing of Starlink in the country,” President Masisi said.

President Masisi said that he had given the regulator two weeks to fast-track Starlink’s license application following the meeting.

 SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has landed in Madagascar, marking the 10th African nation to enjoy its high-speed…  

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has landed in Madagascar, marking the 10th African nation to enjoy its high-speed connectivity. This makes South Africa the only country in the southern region yet to receive official confirmation for access.

With this launch, Madagascar boasts the continent’s most affordable Starlink hardware, priced at MGA 1,120,000 ($247.49). Zambia previously held the title for the cheapest hardware at ZMW 8,000 ($302.99).

In Madagascar, shipping and handling fees are set at MGA 109,000 ($23.56), and the monthly roaming subscription costs MGA 451,200 ($99.73). While this subscription fee is higher, with Nigeria offering the cheapest at ₦49,000 ($32) and Mozambique at R2,101 ($114.31), the value proposition remains strong.

An early adopter promotion offers a 29% discount until July 13 to sweeten the deal for users in Madagascar.

For added convenience, Starlink offers two additional accessories: an Ethernet adapter for MGA 351,000 ($77.58) and a 45-metre cable for MGA 648,000 ($143.20).

The launch in Madagascar comes shortly after announcing a timeframe for service activation in Lesotho, leaving South Africa as the only Southern African country without confirmed access. Out of Africa’s 54 countries, only 15 lack an estimated availability timeframe.

The service has already launched in two of South Africa’s neighbouring countries — Eswatini and Mozambique. Namibia is slated to receive coverage in 2024, with Zimbabwe and Botswana following around the same time as Lesotho. By year-end, South Africa will be surrounded by countries enjoying its satellite internet access.

What is Starlink’s hold-up in South Africa?

It was reported in April that Starlink is not going to work in South Africa because the company didn’t want to share ownership with locals as per the government’s requirements.

Starlink refused to comply with the country’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) requirements to gift 30% ownership to local historically disadvantaged people. Also, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and the Minister of Communications have failed to issue new communications licences in about 13 years.

Icasa says it has not received any application for a licence from Starlink, nor has the company approached the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT), according to a report.

“It is of utmost importance to note that all licence applications have to go through Icasa and not DCDT,” they said.

Ironically, Icasa has not yet enacted its new regulations, leaving the future of Starlink in South Africa uncertain. The delay and confusion surrounding these regulations may have rendered Starlink’s withdrawal unnecessary.

However, in another report this July, it is said that Starlink’s satellite Internet service has remained online in South Africa for over two months despite warnings that it would cut off people using its roaming service in areas with no official support. The broadband service’s roaming has been working in South Africa since at least early 2023.

Another Southern African country, Botswana, in February, through the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) initially banned the internet service, warning of legal repercussions for those who defy the ban.

BOCRA cited the company’s failure to meet all requirements. In an email statement, BOCRA emphasised that Starlink has not authorised any entity to import or resell its Internet kits in Botswana. Offenders will be committing an offence, although the specific charges remain undisclosed.

However, in May, Botswana granted an operating licence to Starlink, three weeks after a government delegation met with the SpaceX team in the US. 

Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations, Ben MacWilliams Director, Global Licensing & Activation, Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director, Global Licensing Activation, President Mokgweetsi Masisi

“After the meeting [with SpaceX], I immediately decided to agree to the licensing of Starlink in the country,” President Masisi said.

President Masisi said that he had given the regulator two weeks to fast-track Starlink’s license application following the meeting.