By Farai D Hove | In light of recent regulatory developments affecting Starlink’s operations in South Africa, stakeholders led by politicians the likes of Julius Malema are exploring alternative satellite internet solutions. This report provides an overview of the current situation and viable alternatives for high-speed internet connectivity in the region.

⚖️ Regulatory Landscape: Starlink’s Challenges in South Africa

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has faced hurdles in launching services in South Africa due to the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which mandate that foreign telecom companies allocate 30% ownership to historically disadvantaged groups. Elon Musk has criticized these requirements as discriminatory. In response, South African authorities are considering policy adjustments, such as allowing companies to fulfill empowerment obligations through alternative means like local investments and job creation .

Despite these proposed changes, political opposition remains, with parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters threatening legal action against any exemptions granted to Starlink .

🌐 Alternative Satellite Internet Providers in South Africa

Given the uncertainties surrounding Starlink’s entry, several other providers offer satellite internet services in South Africa:

1. 

OneWeb (Eutelsat Group) via Liquid Intelligent Technologies

• Service: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet
• Features: Lower latency and higher bandwidth compared to traditional satellite services
• Availability: Enterprise-grade services across Africa  

2. 

Vox Telecom

• Service: Geostationary satellite internet
• Plans:
  
  • 5 Mbps: R761/month
  • 10 Mbps: R1,082/month
  • Up to 50 Mbps: R3,025/month
• Note: Higher latency due to satellite positioning  

3. 

MorClick

• Service: Satellite internet solutions
• Target Audience: Rural and remote areas
• Features: Various speed options and service plans 

4. 

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)

• Providers: Supersonic, Herotel, Wirulink, among others
• Service: Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
• Speeds: 4 Mbps to 100 Mbps
• Pricing: R399 to R3,099/month, depending on speed and provider
• Limitation: Requires line-of-sight to transmission towers  

🛰️ Emerging Global Competitors

Several international players are developing satellite internet services that may become available in South Africa:

• Project Kuiper (Amazon): A planned LEO satellite constellation aiming to provide global broadband services.
• Telesat Lightspeed (Canada): Focused on delivering high-capacity, low-latency connectivity.
• AST SpaceMobile (USA): Developing a space-based cellular broadband network to connect directly to standard mobile phones.
• SpaceSail (China): A Chinese-operated satellite broadband service targeting the African market . 

✅ Recommendations

• Short-Term: For immediate connectivity needs, consider existing providers like Vox Telecom, MorClick, or local WISPs, especially in areas where infrastructure supports these services.
• Long-Term: Monitor regulatory developments concerning Starlink and emerging global providers. The potential entry of services like OneWeb and Project Kuiper could offer enhanced options in the future.
• Strategic Partnerships: Engage with providers that align with South Africa’s empowerment objectives to ensure compliance and support for local communities. 

Staying informed about the evolving satellite internet landscape will be crucial for making timely and beneficial decisions regarding connectivity solutions in South Africa.