Zimbabwe is poised to become the first African country to receive Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, due to a perceived standoff over licensing rules in South Africa. The neighboring country’s Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) is expected to approve SpaceX’s application for Starlink services.
- Several African nations, including Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Mozambique, have already given the green light for Starlink’s operation within their territories. Zimbabwe’s potential approval adds to the growing list of African countries embracing the satellite internet service.
- South Africa’s communications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), has stated that it is not responsible for the delays in licensing Starlink within the country. Icasa claims that it has had meetings with SpaceX officials but has not received a formal license application from the company.
- Licensing Starlink in South Africa has become a politically charged issue, with allegations of the ANC government hindering the satellite service. The Electronic Communication Act requires licensees to have a minimum 30% equity ownership held by historically disadvantaged groups.
- The ANC’s stance on black economic empowerment and Icasa’s rules have been criticized for potentially obstructing SpaceX’s launch of Starlink in South Africa. The requirement for equity ownership may be a factor that SpaceX and Elon Musk have reservations about, although their official plans have not been disclosed.
- The licensing disparity between Zimbabwe and South Africa highlights the complexities and challenges associated with regulatory frameworks and equity requirements in the telecommunications sector.
- The impending launch of Starlink in Zimbabwe raises questions about the future of satellite internet connectivity in Africa and the role of licensing regulations in shaping the digital landscape on the continent.