Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, has started turning off internet access for people in South Africa who are using its roaming service plans. These users began getting emails over the weekend saying their service was being cut off because they were using Starlink in a country where it is not officially allowed.
The email said:
“You are using Starlink in a country where it is not authorised. Because of this, your internet service is being stopped immediately. According to the Terms of Service, the availability of Starlink depends on rules and approvals from each country, and those can change.”
Starlink Tells Users to Wait or Cancel
Starlink told affected users they have two choices:
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Cancel the service, or
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Use it in a country where Starlink is officially allowed.
They also said that once Starlink is officially launched in South Africa, users will be informed.
How People Were Using It Anyway
Although Starlink isn’t licensed in South Africa yet, many people found a way to use it. Some bought Starlink kits from other countries where it’s available and brought them into South Africa. They used the roaming service to access the internet.
However, Starlink’s roaming service has rules. One of the rules says that users can’t use it for more than 60 days in a row in a country that’s not registered. To avoid this limit, some users moved their devices to a registered country for at least 24 hours and then brought them back again.
Why People Still Use It
Even though the roaming plans cost more than regular Starlink home service, people used them because:
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The internet is fast and reliable,
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It works well in remote areas, and
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It’s often better than local broadband options in South Africa.
Warnings from South African Authorities
In November 2023, South Africa’s communication regulator, Icasa, warned that using or selling Starlink in South Africa without permission is illegal.
Last week, Icasa said it was seriously concerned about the illegal use of Starlink. They mentioned that some South Africans were getting Starlink equipment from international sellers and using its roaming feature to access the internet in South Africa.
Talks with the Government Are Still Ongoing
Starlink is still in talks with the South African government to officially bring the service to the country. One issue is a regulation that says 30% of a telecom company in South Africa must be owned by historically disadvantaged people.
To fix this, the Minister of Communications, Solly Malatsi, has suggested changing the rules. He proposed that foreign companies like Starlink should be allowed to:
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Either follow the 30% local ownership rule, or
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Follow an “equity equivalent” plan, which means supporting South Africa in other ways.
Starlink supported this idea and asked South Africans to back the minister’s proposal. If the rules are changed, Starlink says it will apply for a license and officially launch in South Africa.
Other Countries in the Same Situation
Starlink is also blocking its roaming service in Namibia, another southern African country. But they are in discussions there too, and expect to launch later in the year.
In the past, Starlink also blocked access in Botswana and Zimbabwe. But after a few months of talks, it got licenses and is now allowed to operate in those countries.
In Summary:
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Starlink has stopped working in South Africa for users with roaming plans.
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It’s not officially allowed in the country yet.
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People were using it through loopholes, but now that’s being shut down.
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The government and Starlink are still discussing ways to make it legal.
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If rules change, Starlink may soon be available officially in South Africa.
