Starlink

SpaceX's Starlink faced a significant international outage recently due to an internal software failure, impacting tens of thousands of users—a rare disruption for Elon Musk’s burgeoning satellite internet service. Users across the United States and Europe began reporting issues around 7 PM Irish time, with Downdetector, a crowd-sourced outage tracker, noting as many as 61,000 reports from affected users. With over 6 million subscribers across approximately 140 countries, Starlink took to its X account to acknowledge the…

Starlink Controversy: A Political Landscape Unfolding Recently, during a budget vote debate in Parliament, Eff MP Sinawo Thambo voiced serious concerns regarding the South African government's intentions surrounding the ICT licensing framework. Thambo, representing the Economic Freedom Fighters, characterized the government's modifications as an undue effort to pave the way for Starlink's entry into South Africa. “There’s a security threat that it poses. It must never be allowed to operate in South Africa,” he asserted…

Starlink Launches in Chad: A New Era of Connectivity In a landmark development for digital access, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has officially launched Starlink, its innovative satellite internet service, in Chad. This significant step follows the completion of its licensing process, firmly establishing its operations in the nation. The confirmation of this launch was shared through the company’s official availability map, much to the excitement of those eager for enhanced internet connectivity in this region.…

The ambitious billionaire Elon Musk is making waves yet again. His satellite internet venture, Starlink, is setting its sights on a hefty R2 billion investment—roughly $112.7 million—in South Africa. This investment appears to be a strategic move to navigate the complexities of the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements. But what does this mean for both Starlink and the South African landscape? Starlink has openly expressed its intent to forge partnerships with local South African businesses to…

After a prolonged hiatus, Starlink—the cutting-edge satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has resumed new subscriber activations not only in Nigeria but across several other African nations. This significant development comes as a much-needed remedy for the continent's ongoing digital challenges, where connectivity can often feel like a distant dream for many. To set the stage, let’s rewind to November 2024. Starlink’s expansion efforts in Nigeria came to an abrupt halt due to capacity issues…

The arrival of Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, in Guinea-Bissau marks a significant milestone for digital connectivity in the country. This is particularly noteworthy as it represents the seventh such launch across West Africa. It’s not just a technological advance; it’s a step toward building a more informed, connected society. Back in April, Guinea-Bissau’s National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) gave the green light for Starlink to commence…

Astronomers utilizing South Africa’s Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope are sounding the alarm regarding potential disruptions to their critical astronomical studies. With the advent of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet project, these scientists are pressing for the government to incorporate stringent protections within any licensing agreements to ensure that their sensitive observations remain undisturbed. The implications of such a deal extend beyond mere technological advancement; they intertwine with the…

Starlink's Service Interruptions: Understanding the Impact and Challenges in South Africa Recently, a wave of unsettling emails swept through the inboxes of customers subscribed to Starlink’s Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming packages. The messages delivered unwelcome news: accounts had been terminated due to utilization in an “unauthorized territory.” One particularly alarming excerpt read: “You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorized territory. As a result, your service will be suspended…

South Africa's Telecom Landscape: A Controversial Shift in Policy Recently, the Financial Times reported significant developments in South Africa’s telecommunications policy, initiated by the government's Minister of Communications, Solly Malatsi. He announced a plan that would permit telecom companies, including Starlink, to bypass the mandated 30% Black ownership requirement through measures such as ‘equity equivalence’. This initiative proposes that these companies might engage in local partnerships, create jobs, or…

Exciting changes are on the horizon for South Africa's telecommunications landscape, as the government prepares to ease local ownership rules for foreign satellite service providers. This policy shift particularly targets innovative companies like Elon Musk's Starlink, which have faced significant regulatory hurdles. It’s intriguing to consider what this means not just for business, but for South Africa's digital future. According to Solly Malatsi, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, the…