Elon Musk recently confirmed that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet service is still waiting for regulatory approval to launch in South Africa.
This update came after a South African farmer complained about his slow Internet connection and expressed a need for Starlink on social media.
The farmer’s post highlighted his frustration with the current Internet speeds and costs, and included a photo of his current setup. Musk’s response indicated that the service is still in the approval process, but did not provide a specific timeline.
Starlink initially planned to launch in South Africa in 2022, but the date has since been pushed back and is now listed as “unknown.” Despite this, Starlink recently expanded to Zimbabwe, bringing its service to more African countries.
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In addition to Musk’s update, South African venture capitalist Michael Jordaan has also urged Musk to bring Starlink and Tesla to South Africa, encouraging others to support his call on social media.
Currently, Starlink’s roaming service, which works in South Africa but is technically illegal, is used by various businesses and households in remote areas due to its superior connectivity. The country’s telecommunications regulator, Icasa, has not yet confirmed if Starlink has applied for the necessary licenses, and the new communications minister, Solly Malatsi, has expressed a willingness to engage with Starlink if it complies with local regulations.
