Published: 03 June 2025

Satellite Internet service Starlink has started cutting off users in South Africa for using its roaming plans in an "unauthorised" country.

Starlink began emailing users of its Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming plans in South Africa over the weekend to notify them that their service had been suspended.

"You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorised territory. As a result, your service will be suspended effective immediately," the email stated.

"As outlined in your Terms of Service, Starlink availability depends on many factors, including obtaining or maintaining the necessary regulatory approvals, which are subject to change."

Starlink gave users two options - cancel the service or access it from an authorised country where it has officially launched.

"As soon as we receive regulatory approvals to turn on Starlink services, we will let you know," the company added.

South Africans have been able to use Starlink's roaming service for nearly two and a half years as a workaround to the lack of official local support.

While Starlink roaming plans are substantially more expensive than its regular residential services, the service's speeds and latency are unrivalled in uncapped broadband connectivity in deeply remote areas.

The service remained active even after the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) warned South Africans that using or distributing Starlink was "illegal" in November 2023.

Aside from telling Parliament and the media that Starlink had not yet applied for a licence, Icasa had been quiet about the matter for more than a year and a half.

Parliament's grilling of communications minister Solly Malatsi early last week over his policy direction that would introduce equity equivalents in the ICT sector seemed to spur the regulator into action.

In between the accusations that the minister was giving Starlink a backdoor entry into the country, a member of the MK Party complained about people using and distributing the roaming service unlawfully.

The party accused unofficial Starlink kit distributor IcasaSePush of being a "shadow operation" of Starlink itself.

A day after the committee meeting, Icasa issued a statement that it was taking steps to address the "allegedly unlawful" use of Starlink in the country.

"Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorisation," Icasa said.

"Furthermore, Icasa has instituted a formal investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and to gather relevant facts and evidence."

Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi said that if the investigation revealed any breach of regulatory and legislative frameworks, the regulator will explore the applicable enforcement actions at its disposal.

"This may include, amongst others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union," Ramusi said.

Starlink 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.

The company explained that if the government adopted this policy and made the necessary regulatory changes, Starlink could apply for the licences required to launch.

"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," the company said.

While the shutdown of roaming services is a blow to many households and businesses that had come to rely on Starlink for reliable Internet access, it may be a step in the right direction.

Another Southern African country where Starlink actively blocks its service is Namibia, where Starlink is in discussions for approval.

Namibia has an estimated Starlink launch date for this year, while South Africa's launch date has been "unknown" since late 2022.

Starlink also briefly blocked access to roaming in Botswana and Zimbabwe while negotiating with regulators. Within a few months, it was granted licences to operate there.

Nevertheless, it could take a considerable amount time for the service to officially launch locally even if the telecoms sector adopts equity equivalents, as this will be subject to an extensive legislative process.
- mybroadband

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