After months of ban, Starlink launches internet service in Botswana

Elon Musk’s satellite service. company, Starlink has launched its services in Botswana marking the 11th African nation to enjoy its high-speed connectivity. This makes it the fastest-growing internet service in the world as it is now available in over 101 countries.

The hardware will cost P4,820 ($363), shipping for P314 ($24) and P688 ($52) for the monthly subscription.

The launch in Botswana follows a decision in May by that country’s telecommunications regulator to grant Starlink a licence to operate. The announcement was preceded by a three-month ban and a warning of legal repercussions by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).

On February 2, 2024, BOCRA rejected Starlink’s application to operate in Botswana, citing the company’s failure to meet all requirements. In an email statement, BOCRA emphasized that Starlink has not authorized any entity to import or resell its Internet kits in Botswana. Offenders will be committing an offence, although the specific charges remain undisclosed.

Notably, some Starlink kit owners, who claim to have purchased the devices for personal use, find themselves stranded at the Kazungula border in Zambia, facing restrictions on bringing the kits into Botswana. Options provided at the border include returning the device to Zambia or seeking permission from Botswana’s telco regulator, with no successful requests reported

The decision to grant the permit was taken after President Mokgweetsi Masisi met Starlink executives in Texas earlier in the year. “After the meeting [with SpaceX], I immediately decided to agree to the licensing of Starlink in the country,” President Masisi said at that time.

President Masisi also gave the regulator two weeks to fast-track Starlink’s license application following the meeting.

This development also makes South Africa the only country in the southern region yet to receive official confirmation for access. The service is available in three neighbouring countries: Botswana, Eswatini (previously Swaziland) and Mozambique. In the broader Southern African region, Starlink is also available in Madagascar, Zambia, Malawi and the islands of Mayotte and Reunion.

What is holding Starlink up in South Africa?

South Africa is now one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t have an estimated in-service date. It was reported in April that Starlink is not going to work in South Africa because the company didn’t want to share ownership with locals as per the government’s requirements.

Starlink refused to comply with the country’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) requirements to gift 30% ownership to local historically disadvantaged people. Also, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and the Minister of Communications have failed to issue new communications licences in about 13 years.

Icasa says it has not received any application for a licence from Starlink, nor has the company approached the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT), according to a report.

“It is of utmost importance to note that all licence applications have to go through Icasa and not DCDT,” they said.

Ironically, Icasa has not yet enacted its new regulations, leaving the future of Starlink in South Africa uncertain. The delay and confusion surrounding these regulations may have rendered Starlink’s withdrawal unnecessary.

However, in another report this July, it is said that Starlink’s satellite Internet service has remained online in South Africa for over two months despite warnings that it would cut off people using its roaming service in areas with no official support. The broadband service’s roaming has been working in South Africa since at least early 2023.

“Service date is unknown at this time,” according to an official map showing Starlink’s global launch plans as at press time.

Other countries in the region with published forecast go-live dates include Mauritius (sometime in 2025), Angola (fourth quarter of 2024), Tanzania (also Q4 2024), the Democratic Republic of Congo (2025), Comoros (2025) and the Seychelles (2025).