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It seems South Africa is destined to stay on the sidelines of Pretoria-born billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink. For now, at least.

While several of our neighbours enjoy access to the service, South Africa is still dealing with regulatory hurdles.

Starlink is already expanding across Southern Africa, in countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia.

And now even Lesotho is joining the party.

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Speaking to CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, World Wide Worx CEO Arthur Goldstuck said Starlink had struck a deal through telecommunications company Paratus to bring its services to the landlocked nation.

“So Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa, is suddenly a Starlink, and South Africa can’t get it.”

Goldstuck said this latest deal by Starlink into Lesotho highlighted the challenges created by South Africa’s regulations.

He believes ICASA and political parties need to make it easier for satellite internet providers.

“[They] have to come to the party and start listening to the Minister of Communications, who is pushing for a simpler system to bring players like Starlink into South Africa and increase competition in connectivity via satellites.”

But Goldstuck said the delays aren’t entirely South Africa’s fault.

While other satellite internet providers are willing to work through local companies, Starlink wants to operate alone.

“It’s partly Starlink holding us back, but it’s also regulations holding us back.”

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