There’s been a lot of discussion lately about Starlink and whether it will arrive in South Africa anytime soon. The short answer? Not yet, but the conversation is certainly heating up.
The South African government recently published a gazette suggesting it might ease Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements for satellite internet providers. This move is significant because, under the current regulations, Starlink cannot operate without a local partner who meets specific empowerment criteria. Loosening these rules could pave the way for the service to launch here.
However, not everyone is in favour. Critics, including some politicians and members of the public, argue that relaxing these regulations could sideline local businesses and contradict transformation goals. Still, the appeal of Starlink is hard to overlook — especially if you live in a remote or underserved area where reliable internet is more of a fantasy than a reality.
Starlink delivers internet directly from space instead of relying on buried fibre cables or inconsistent mobile networks. It operates through thousands of small low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites orbiting just 550 kilometres above the planet—much closer than traditional satellites. Users install a compact dish on their property that connects with these satellites as they pass overhead. The satellites then relay signals to ground stations linked to the wider internet, providing a fast, stable connection with low latency—ideal for streaming, gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities.
Starlink is already operational in parts of the continent — including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, and even smaller markets like Lesotho, Benin, and Cape Verde.
If Starlink were approved for use in South Africa, the upfront cost for the equipment— including the dish and router—would likely range between approximately $325 and $650, depending on the specific package. Monthly subscription fees would probably fall between $24 and $65, reflecting the range in other African countries where the service is already available.
The most affordable Starlink setup in Africa is in Eswatini, where the hardware costs around $368. The monthly subscription is $51, plus a regulatory fee of about $6.50. On the higher end of the scale is Ghana, where users pay approximately $581 for the equipment and a monthly payment of $67.
The bottom line is that while Starlink may not be cheap, it could be a game-changer for those off the connectivity grid.
