President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Elon Musk in New York this week during the United Nations General Assembly, where they discussed potential investments in South Africa. The country is eagerly anticipating the launch of Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service.
According to the SABC, the president described the meeting with the South African-born tech entrepreneur as positive. Starlink, which is already available in Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia, has left many South Africans wondering why this cutting-edge technology has not yet launched in Musk’s home country.
SpaceX’s Starlink, founded by Musk, provides global internet access via a vast network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, currently serving more than 60 countries.
Regulatory Challenges
In response to the regulatory obstacles that may be hindering Starlink’s introduction in South Africa, the government is reportedly engaged in discussions with SpaceX to address these issues.
Starlink Pricing
Some South Africans have been accessing Starlink via external internet service providers (ISPs) since December 2023, paying around R1,299 per month.
Mozambique-based StarSat Africa previously charged R1,799 but has since reduced its price, according to MyBroadband. A Starlink kit costs R14,999, with an initial deposit of R1,999 required.
IcasaSePush, another ISP offering Starlink, has also lowered its monthly fee from R1,499 to between R880 and R1,000.
As discussions between the South African government and SpaceX continue, many are hopeful that Starlink’s launch in the country will soon become a reality. The service could provide a much-needed boost to internet connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved areas, supporting the nation’s drive for digital transformation. South Africans now wait to see if Musk’s innovative technology will bridge the gap and bring affordable, high-speed internet to more homes and businesses across the country.
