Starlink satellites being blasted into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in a file photograph SpaceX struck a deal on Thursday to acquire a nationwide portfolio of low-band spectrum, moving Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company closer to mounting a direct challenge from orbit to America’s established mobile operators. SpaceX will pay about US$8-billion…
Amazon is positioning LEO connectivity as a complement to fibre, wireless and mobile networks across South Africa and Africa. (Image created via Gemini) Amazon Leo plans to bring its direct-to-device (D2D), low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service to South Africa from around 2028, as the satellite broadband provider expands its local offerings beyond fixed connectivity. This…
SpaceX founder Elon Musk has accused vested interests of blocking the launch of his company’s satellite internet service, Starlink, to protect their hold over consumers, calling it “a crime against the people of India” The country’s telecom and internet service market is dominated by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Airtel, with both companies…
Cell C is in active discussions with SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon Leo to resell their satellite broadband products and explore potential direct-to-device mobile connectivity. Confirming the confidential talks, CEO Jorge Mendes framed the negotiations as part of a “network-agnostic” strategy, viewing satellite and terrestrial infrastructure as complementary layers within a consolidated “network of networks.” Read:…
Appearing at public hearings hosted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), SpaceX urged regulators to address the ownership compliance rules currently preventing Starlink from securing an operating license in South Africa. Representing SpaceX, Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director for Market Access and Development, addressed the authority regarding draft amendments to the Radio Frequency…
Cell C is in discussions with SpaceX’s Starlink and with Amazon Leo about both reselling their satellite broadband products and a possible direct-to-device offering, CEO Jorge Mendes said. Mendes would not give details, saying the talks remain confidential. “We’re in discussions with Starlink. We’re in discussions with Amazon. We’re in discussions with everybody,” he said,…
Paratus Uganda has become the first provider in the country to launch Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, three months after the Uganda Communications Commission granted SpaceX an operational licence. The UCC signed a memorandum of understanding and operational licence agreement with Starlink on 15 May 2026. The launch gives enterprise customers in remote parts…
Airtel Africa has switched on what it says is Africa’s first commercial direct-to-phone satellite service, going live in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 14 August in partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Branded Starlink Mobile, it lets Airtel DRC customers with a compatible LTE Android smartphone connect straight to Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, which act…
Herotel CEO Van Zyl Botha Amazon’s Leo satellite constellation is coming to South Africa in 2027 through Herotel. TechCentral deputy editor Fanie van Rooyen speaks to Herotel CEO Van Zyl Botha about Evry, the brand that will sell Amazon Leo to South African homes, and about how a company with no local licence walked into…
Nearly six in 10 South African registered voters would accept exempting US companies from black economic empowerment requirements if it brought investment and jobs, according to polling published by The Common Sense – and support is strongest among black voters. The Social Research Foundation’s (SRF’s) second-quarter 2026 market survey found 47% of voters strongly agreed…
