Over the weekend, several customers on Starlink’s Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming packages received emails notifying them that their accounts had been terminated due to use in an “unauthorized territory.”
The notice stated: “You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorized territory. As a result, your service will be suspended effective immediately.”
Although Starlink is not officially licensed to operate in South Africa, some individuals and businesses have been using the service through unofficial channels.
For nearly two and a half years, South Africans have been able to use Starlink’s roaming service as a workaround for the lack of official local support.
Many rural and underserved communities have relied on the satellite-based internet where traditional infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
Mybroadband reports that users were given two options—either cancel the service or access it from an authorized country where Starlink has officially launched.
The company added, “As soon as we receive regulatory approvals to turn on Starlink services, we will let you know.”
Despite warnings from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in November 2023, declaring the use and distribution of Starlink “illegal,” the service remained active until these recent suspensions.
Starlink’s regulatory tussle in South Africa
Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is encountering increasing regulatory challenges in South Africa as authorities enforce the country’s telecommunications laws.
Despite its global expansion and reputation for delivering high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas, Starlink has yet to secure a license to operate in Musk’s home country, creating tension between strong user demand and regulatory compliance.
The company’s failure to obtain a license has led to service interruptions for customers using Starlink’s roaming plans, underscoring the broader clash between Musk’s global tech ambitions and South Africa’s regulatory framework.
Complicating matters, Musk criticized South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies—which prioritize Black ownership and participation in business—as a barrier to establishing Starlink locally.
He claims these requirements have blocked his efforts since he does not meet the criteria for Black ownership.
In response to Musk’s criticisms and recognizing the potential economic benefits of Starlink’s technology, the South African government is reportedly considering easing BEE requirements specifically to accommodate Musk’s venture.
