The sports category has moved to a new website.

Three African countries where Elon Musk's Starlink is illegal

Elon Musk and a Starlink set.
  • Business Insider Africa presents three African countries where the use of Elon Musk's Starlink is illegal.
  • Starlink has plans to launch in 19 more African countries in 2023 and 2024.
  • Starlink's operation in Africa has not been all rosy as it is facing regulatory challenges.

When Elon Musk’s Starlink made its debut in Nigeria in January 2023, the next-gen satellite internet service provider promised to usher in a new era of high-speed internet connectivity in Africa's most populous nation. It also promised low-latency internet to areas where it is either unreliable or inaccessible.

At the moment, Starlink has spread its tentacles of operation to several other African countries including Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius and Sierra Leone, with 19 more African countries scheduled for launch in 2023 and 2024.

However, its operation in Africa has not been all rosy as it is facing regulatory challenges on the continent, where only 40% of its over 1.3 billion population have access to the internet, the lowest rate in the world.

Below are the African countries where the use of Starlink is illegal.

ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa

On August 14th 2023, South Africa banned the import of Starlink kits. South Africa’s telecommunications regulator has demanded that a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) stop acquiring, distributing and facilitating the sale of any Starlink products in South Africa, that will in any form provide satellite access to Starlink services.

The ban is due to a legal requirement imposed by the Electronics Communications Act (ECA). This act mandates that historically disadvantaged groups (HDGs) must own 30% of a company before it can get the necessary telecoms licences to operate a broadband service locally.

HDGs include black people, youth, women, and people with disabilities. Since Starlink has not met this requirement it could not get the necessary telecommunications licenses to operate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Zimbabwe

Early this month, Zimbabwe’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) issued a warning to Starlink users and resellers, stating that they must obtain the necessary licenses to operate legally.

To operate in the southern African country, the regulator proposed two options: the company can either apply directly for a license or collaborate with a registered public network within the country to offer its services.

The regulatory authority has expressed concerns about unauthorized entities distributing customer premises equipment for satellite-based internet services. Even local resellers must obtain virtual network operator (VNO) agreements with Starlink for approval after obtaining a local license. Presently, operating the telecommunication equipment without a valid license is a statutory offence punishable by law.

ADVERTISEMENT

Senegal

The Senegalese government is cracking down on those selling Starlink in the country for “illegal provision of internet access and irregular marketing.” The crackdown is coming one week after the government shut down the internet for the third time within a year.

On August 7th, the Senegalese government arrested five people for selling Starlink terminals without the required licence or authorisation. The five people arrested by the Department of Urban Security of the National Police face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of 60 million CFA ($100,000).

The telecommunications regulatory authority also issued a warning for any service providers marketing Starlink and any other company with similar activities to immediately cease all service throughout the country.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Safaricom receives license to offer new product as M-PESA revenue hits Sh77.2 billion

Safaricom receives license to offer new product as M-PESA revenue hits Sh77.2 billion

Celebrating our alumni: Light Group of Schools kicks off Alumni Insights

Celebrating our alumni: Light Group of Schools kicks off Alumni Insights

Tour inside Africa’s first Emirates World Store in Nairobi [Photos]

Tour inside Africa’s first Emirates World Store in Nairobi [Photos]

Gov't plan to exempt Kenyans earning below Sh45,000 from PAYE tax [Explainer]

Gov't plan to exempt Kenyans earning below Sh45,000 from PAYE tax [Explainer]

Inside the fierce battle over tender involving Kenya's presidential jet

Inside the fierce battle over tender involving Kenya's presidential jet

Massive demand forces Starlink to pause new sign-ups in Nairobi, 6 other counties

Massive demand forces Starlink to pause new sign-ups in Nairobi, 6 other counties

Treasury proposes tax changes for employees, digital services, multinationals

Treasury proposes tax changes for employees, digital services, multinationals

2 key measures Safaricom has taken to protect customer data

2 key measures Safaricom has taken to protect customer data

IMF approves $606 million disbursement for Kenya: What you need to know

IMF approves $606 million disbursement for Kenya: What you need to know

ADVERTISEMENT