SpaceX achieved a monumental milestone on Sunday, successfully launching 56 additional Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). This latest deployment officially pushed the total number of satellites launched by the company past the 10,000 mark. Read: Google South Africa launches AI glossary in Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans The record-setting launch was accomplished using a…
In this episode of ITWeb TV, news editor Admire Moyo speaks to Q-KON group CEO, Dr Dawie de Wet about the state of satellite broadband internet connectivity in SA and the company’s plans, as Starlink’s SA launch remains in limbo. He also touches on the impact of space debris as a result of LEO satellites…
Starlink, the satellite internet division of SpaceX, has affirmed its commitment to launching in South Africa, announcing plans to spend R2.5 billion on local infrastructure and pledging compliance with Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation. Read: Sony ULT Field 5 Review: ULTimately Based Ryan Goodnight, Senior Director of Market Access at SpaceX, delivered the update at…
Starlink will comply with South African black economic empowerment legislation, is ready to launch services in the country and will spend R2.5-billion doing so, a company executive said on Tuesday. Ryan Goodnight, senior director in charge of market access at Starlink owner SpaceX, told the annual general meeting of South Africa’s Internet Service Providers’ Association…
Paratus Group executive chairman Barney Harmse joins the TechCentral Show to share the story of the telecommunications group’s rise from small beginnings in Angola and Namibia more than 20 years ago and how it became one of Southern Africa’s biggest ICT infrastructure players. Paratus started life in Angola in 2003, evolving from a local internet…
Starlink operator SpaceX “cannot undermine the sovereignty of South Africa” if it wishes to operate in the country. This was the message from Khusela Sangoni-Diko, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, during a wide-ranging interview with ITWeb TV. She also reflected on the workings of the committee under the Government of…
The author, Jessica Gbedemah When Elon Musk claimed earlier this year that Starlink was being blocked in South Africa because of black economic empowerment rules, it ignited a debate that went far beyond satellite internet. Communications regulator Icasa quickly countered that no application for a licence had been received. The clash has left South Africa…
A Starlink terminal Some Kenyans turned to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service after the government tried to restrict access to the internet during last year’s protests that left more than 60 dead. Anti-government demonstrations returned in June. This time, though, Starlink’s appeal has faded. Those who purchased the service may have thought it could…
Regulatory obstacles in South Africa could cost Starlink its usual first-mover advantage, potentially allowing Amazon’s Project Kuiper to enter the local market concurrently or even sooner. Kuiper, which began launching satellites in April, plans beta testing soon, with a commercial rollout expected in 2026. Amazon representatives have reportedly met with local telecoms ahead of this…
A roof-mounted Project Kuiper terminal. Image: Amazon Regulatory hurdles in the way of Starlink’s pursuit of a local operating licence could see the SpaceX subsidiary losing the first-mover advantage it has enjoyed in most markets. This as competitor, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, looks to enter the local market. Kuiper in April began launching its satellites into…
