The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has given its approval for the use of at least one component of the customer equipment required for SpaceX’s Starlink service in the country. Although the launch date for Starlink in South Africa has yet to be confirmed, it is known that several hundred local users are already utilizing Starlink’s roaming service.
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To access the service, users needed an importer to bring in the Starlink kit, which includes two essential components for connecting to SpaceX’s satellite network: the Starlink dish antenna, known as “Dishy” within the customer community, and the Starlink Wi-Fi router it connects to.
For radio equipment like the dish and router to be legally used in South Africa, it must undergo type approval by Icasa. This process ensures that the equipment complies with the relevant technical standards and regulatory requirements set out by Icasa. It involves testing the performance, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and safety of the product or system.
Many individuals interested in importing the Starlink kit have been concerned about potential customs issues due to a lack of type approval. Icasa clearly states on its website that non-type-approved equipment will not be allowed for use in the country and may be sealed or seized. However, there is no evidence to suggest that non-type-approved devices from Starlink would cause any harm to radio communication in South Africa. Starlink dishes have been successfully deployed in numerous countries without disrupting existing telecommunications services.
Q-KON Africa, a company offering the Twoobii satellite Internet service in South Africa, reassures that Starlink is unlikely to interfere with other satellite or wireless signals in the country. They explain that coordination and frequency interference matters are primarily addressed on an international level between operators, rather than on a national or regional forum. The radio frequency spectrum allocated to Starlink by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) complies with international coordination requirements.
It’s important to note that while some of Starlink’s equipment has received type approval, the company itself has not yet been licensed to operate as an Internet service provider (ISP) in South Africa. To obtain the necessary licenses, such as the electronic communications network service (ECNS) and electronic communications service (ECS) licenses, SpaceX would need to apply to Icasa. However, despite meeting with the regulator twice, the company has not yet submitted these license applications.
Industry insiders speculate that the main reason for the delay in SpaceX’s license application is the requirement set by Icasa’s industry regulations, which stipulates that 30% of the company’s ownership must be composed of previously disadvantaged individuals, including black people, youth, women, and people with disabilities. As a private company, SpaceX is not obliged to disclose detailed information about its shareholding. However, it is doubtful that the company meets this ownership threshold or possesses the necessary shareholder information to satisfy the requirement.
