Botswana has authorised the granting of an operating licence to SpaceX’s Starlink unit, becoming the latest African country to permit the internet services company to operate in it.
Starlink services are expected to become available soon, aiming to help connect people in remote areas where conventional fixed broadband is unavailable
This approval comes three months after the Botswana Communications and Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) initially rejected Starlink’s application due to missing information, leading to a subsequent ban of Starlink products.
This week’s decision to grant Starlink a licence follows a meeting between the SpaceX team and President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Africa-US Business Forum in Dallas, Texas.
“After the meeting (with SpaceX), I immediately decided to agree to the licensing of Starlink in the country,” President Masisi said.
President Masisi stated that he had given the regulator a two-week deadline to fast-track Starlink’s licence application following the meeting.
Masisi said Starlink services are expected to become available in the country soon, helping farmers and others in remote areas connect when conventional fixed broadband is unavailable.
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By licensing Starlink, Botswana aims to bridge the connectivity gap in its country of 2,6 million people.
Despite an internet penetration rate of 87 percent, the country currently faces some of the highest data prices in Africa.
Botswana is the latest southern African nation to licence Starlink, following Zimbabwe, which approved the service last Friday.
President Mnangagwa said that the licensing of Starlink reflects his administration’s dedication to creating an environment that encourages investment in technology.
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