Starlink blocks roaming in South Africa amid illegal usage claims

Starlink has started cutting off South African users on its roaming plans for using the services in an unauthorised country. Over the weekend, the satellite internet company began notifying users on its Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming plans in South Africa that their services have been halted.

“You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorised territory. As a result, your service will be suspended effective immediately. As outlined in your Terms of Service, Availability depends on many factors, including obtaining or maintaining the necessary regulatory approvals, which are subject to change,” the notification via email reads.

However, the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service informed users to either cancel the service or access it from an authorised country where it has officially launched. It added that users would be notified as soon as it launches in South Africa. 

Despite Starlink’s lack of official licensing in the country, South Africans have been using Starlink’s kits from countries where the service is available and utilise them in South Africa, though with restrictions. While Starlink’s roaming plans have a restriction of 60 days of continuous use after which the service will stop working, users move the kit to their registered country and use it for at least 24 hours. 

As Starlink’s roaming plans remain more expensive than regular residential services, its speed and reach have been substantial for broadband connectivity across remote areas. Also, the service has remained active in South Africa amid the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) warning that using or distributing Starlink was “illegal” in November 2023.

Last week, Icasa vowed to crack down on the illegal use of Starlink with claims that some South Africans have sourced its equipment from local international resellers and utilise the device’s international roaming feature to gain access to the platform.

“Icasa has taken note with serious concern recent reports alleging that Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorisation,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Also Read: South Africa to crack down on illegal use of Starlink in the country, begins investigation,

Starlink reassures South Africans

The move to cut off roaming services in South Africa comes amid ongoing discussions between Starlink owner Elon Musk and the South African government over regulations that require 30 per cent of the equity in a local telecom licensee to be in the hands of historically disadvantaged persons.

The company also recently appealed to South Africans who had registered their interest in the service on its website to support the communications minister’s equity equivalents policy direction for the ICT sector. 

Recall that the Communications Minister, Solly Malatsi, proposed amending the rules to allow foreign companies like Starlink to enter South Africa without sharing ownership. He noted that the plan addresses a gap in the regulations and would give foreign companies two options to enter South Africa: either black ownership or an “equity equivalent” scheme.

Therein, the satellite internet company explained that if the government adopts this alternative and makes the necessary regulatory changes, it could apply for the licences and look forward to launching.

“That means we could finally connect you and thousands of others in South Africa who have been waiting for the Starlink service to become available,” it said.

Aside from the country, another Southern African country where Starlink actively blocks its roaming service is Namibia, where it’s in discussion for approval. While the company has a projected date for launch in Namibia later this year, South Africa’s launch date has not been undecided.

In addition, the satellite internet service briefly blocked access to roaming in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Within a few months of negotiation, it was granted licences to operate there.