Bad news for illegal Starlink users in SA

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has started a probe into allegations that Elon Musk-led SpaceX’s Starlink internet-satellite service was operating in the country illegally.

Icasa said it has taken note with “serious concern”, about recent reports alleging that Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, may be offering its services in South Africa without the requisite authorisation.

Warning

Icasa Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi said they have instituted a formal investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and to gather the relevant facts and evidence

“In the interim, Icasa has deployed inspection teams to conduct physical verifications in the affected areas. This operation is being executed in collaboration with other relevant organs of state to ensure a coordinated and lawful response.

“Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal, which may include, amongst others, lodging a formal complaint,” Ramusi said.

Ramusi said Icasa has also formally engaged SpaceX to seek clarity on the reported activities and is currently awaiting a response.

ALSO READ: Malatsi gazettes policy direction to possibly allow Musk to operate Starlink in SA [VIDEO]

Starlink

Icasa published a general notice under Government Gazette no 49777 reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services within South Africa are required to comply fully with the applicable legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Talks on launching Starlink in South Africa stalled earlier this year after South African-born Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump ramped up public rhetoric against policies such as BEE laws, which mandate that foreign-owned telecoms companies allocate at least 30% of local equity to historically disadvantaged groups, primarily black South Africans.

Musk claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not black, an allegation South African officials refuted.

BEE bypass

Last week, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi published a policy direction to provide alternatives to pave the way for the Starlink satellite internet service in the country.

Malatsi issued the directive two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington to “reset” strained relations following false claims of “white genocide” and attacks against Afrikaner farmers in South Africa, a statement also made by Musk, who attended last week’s meeting in the White House’s Oval Office.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Starlink not debated with Trump, Ramaphosa says

Parliament

However, Malatsi was summoned to a briefing by Communications portfolio committee chairperson Khusela Diko on the recently published policy directive.

Malatsi and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies officials gave a presentation on Tuesday on how the proposed regulation was formulated, stating that one of the main objectives was to create an environment where competition could thrive. 

“It is the lack of competition in the market that appears to be the greatest impediment to lower prices for consumers”.

Illegal connections

Meanwhile, South Africans have found ways around the current restrictions by registering the kit and services in other nearby nations like Lesotho that allow the service and then using the roaming option to access it in their home country.

With its wide coverage and increasing affordability, Starlink presents a chance to close the connectivity gap in rural areas while also appealing to urban users.

Starlink operates thousands of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet globally.

ALSO READ: EFF threatens legal action over plans to offer Elon Musk’s Starlink [VIDEO]