Starlink Cuts Off Roaming in South Africa Due to Claims on Illegal Usage

Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk, has started cutting off roaming in South Africa. Many South Africans who relied on Starlink’s roaming services woke up to emails from the company saying their internet would be suspended immediately. The message was clear: Starlink blocks roaming in South Africa because the country hasn’t given them the official go-ahead to operate.

For a while, people in South Africa have found clever ways to use Starlink. Since Starlink isn’t officially available in the country, some people bought their kits from places like Mozambique or other countries where Starlink is legal. They then brought the kits back to South Africa and used them with Starlink’s roaming plans. These plans are more expensive than the regular ones, but they have been a game-changer for people living in rural areas who struggle to get good internet.

But there was always a catch. Starlink’s roaming plans only allow you to use the service in a different country for 60 days at a time. After that, you’re supposed to take the kit back to the country where it’s registered, use it there for at least a day, and then you can bring it back. Many South Africans did this to keep their internet running, but it was never really allowed by the rules.

Starlink cuts off roaming in South Africa

The government’s communications regulator, Icasa, has warned for months that using Starlink in South Africa without the right paperwork is illegal. They said anyone caught selling or using Starlink kits could get into trouble. Still, thousands of kits have found their way into the country, often through resellers who bring them in from neighboring countries.

Last week, Icasa said they were going to crack down harder on the illegal use of Starlink. They said they were worried that so many people were using the service without the company having local approval. Soon after, Starlink started sending out those emails, cutting off roaming in South Africa and telling users their service was suspended.

Starlink says they want to launch officially in South Africa, but there’s a problem. The law says that 30% of any telecom company in South Africa must be owned by people who were disadvantaged under apartheid. Elon Musk’s company doesn’t meet this requirement. The government is thinking about changing the rules to let foreign companies like Starlink operate if they invest in local projects instead of giving up ownership. Starlink has asked South Africans to support this change, saying it would help them finally launch in the country.

For now, though, Starlink blocks roaming in South Africa, and people who depended on it are left without a good internet option. Some hope that these recent events will push the government to speed up the process and let Starlink in officially. Until then, South Africans will have to wait and hope for better news.

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