Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has emphasized that if Starlink wishes to operate in South Africa, it must be assured of a welcome and the ability to function within the country’s legal framework.
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South Africa recently became the only Southern African nation without a confirmed launch date for Starlink, even though the satellite broadband service is set to debut in neighboring countries by the end of the year. When SpaceX opened global pre-orders for Starlink in February 2021, the company estimated that the service would be available in South Africa by 2022. However, by November 2021, Starlink pushed South Africa’s estimated launch date to 2023, and in September 2022, it was further delayed to an indefinite “unknown” date.
Although Starlink has not publicly disclosed why it has not pursued a launch in South Africa, industry insiders believe the primary reason lies in the country’s local ownership requirements. Currently, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) mandates that companies obtaining national network licenses be at least 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups. In March 2021, Icasa proposed new regulations requiring 30% black ownership for these licenses, but this has been suspended indefinitely, creating uncertainty within the broadband sector.
While these regulations may have caused hesitation, they do not seem to be insurmountable barriers for Starlink. The company has successfully launched in countries with similar requirements by working through local agents, a strategy it could potentially adopt in South Africa.
In a recent interview with MyBroadband, Minister Malatsi confirmed that his office has not yet been contacted by Starlink. “I have tried to establish whether there have been any previous efforts from Starlink to engage with the department about entering the South African market,” Malatsi said, noting that there is no record of such outreach from either party.
However, Malatsi expressed a willingness to engage with Starlink, emphasizing the potential value the service could bring in advancing South Africa’s digital inclusion goals. “In the next few weeks — hopefully soon — we will have some indication of how we can proceed with this conversation,” Malatsi said.
He acknowledged the public demand for Starlink, stating that he is frequently tagged on social media by people urging him to bring the service to South Africa. “Ultimately, you can only bring someone here who wants to come. But they will only come if they feel welcome,” he added.
Malatsi stressed that his office is committed to exploring every legal avenue to ensure that regulation promotes opportunity rather than stifles it. He also highlighted the importance of creating an investment-friendly environment to support South Africa’s economy and social services. “We must be proactive in overcoming regulatory barriers that hinder potential investments and job creation,” Malatsi concluded.
