Starlink responds to regulatory pressures in Zimbabwe and the potential implications for service in South Africa

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), which operates a global broadband internet network via its satellite constellation known as Starlink, has issued a formal notice to its subscribers in Zimbabwe. The company informed them that their roaming access to the internet service would be suspended. This decision comes following directives from the Zimbabwean telecom regulatory body.

In the Southern African region, countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe are yet to officially sanction the use of Starlink’s services. Nevertheless, a significant number of Zimbabwean residents have managed to sidestep this limitation by procuring Starlink kits from neighboring states where Starlink is operational, including Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, and Kenya. These users have been tapping into Starlink’s network through either the regional or global roaming features.

The unfolding situation was brought to public attention when a subscriber in Zimbabwe shared an email with MyBroadband, a reader of the platform, dated April 12, 2024, which was sent by Starlink. This correspondence highlighted that the territory of Zimbabwe is classified as ‘unauthorized’ for the deployment of Starlink’s network services.

The email went on to clarify that the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has instructed the internet provider to suspend its services for users within Zimbabwean borders.

Despite the setback, Starlink reassured customers that negotiations are actively ongoing with Potraz to secure the mandates required to restore and formalize service provision in Zimbabwe at the earliest opportunity.

The communication further elaborated on the limitations of Starlink’s Terms of Service, particularly with regard to the availability of its Mobile or Mobile Priority Services plans. Reminding users that roaming services fall under the mobile category, Starlink underscored that service availability is reliant on multiple contingencies, one of which is the retention of pertinent regulatory endorsements, which are susceptible to revisions.

To accommodate users affected by the suspension, Starlink provided the option to put their service accounts on hold temporarily.

Moreover, the company suggested that customers should express their support for Starlink’s efforts to gain the necessary approvals in Zimbabwe by reaching out directly to Potraz. For this purpose, Starlink supplied Potraz’s contact details, including an email address (the.regulator@potraz.gov.zw) and a phone number (+263 242 333032).

Starlink assured its patrons that they would be promptly notified upon receiving the green light from regulatory authorities to reactivate services in Zimbabwe.

Below is the full email sent to Starlink roaming users in Zimbabwe.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is evidently treading carefully to avoid compromising its efforts to obtain regulatory approval from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz). The company’s coverage map shows an anticipated launch in Zimbabwe during the third quarter of 2024, indicating a future plan to establish its services there.

This decision to suspend services in Zimbabwe occurs in the wake of stern warnings from Potraz, informing the public that the use of Starlink’s services without authorization is illegal. The regulator has gone as far as enlisting the police to orchestrate raids on properties where illegal usage of Starlink terminals is suspected. Two individuals were reportedly arrested in connection with this crackdown.

To evade detection and potential legal risks, some Zimbabwean users have resorted to camouflaging their Starlink kits, either by cloaking them as solar panels or integrating them into the structure of streetlights.

Zimbabwe isn’t the only African nation impacted by such measures. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced a similar cutoff of Starlink’s roaming services after a government request, with the service’s intended official launch scheduled for 2025.

In addition, there have been moves across the continent to clamp down on Starlink’s operations before they are formally sanctioned. For instance, in Botswana, the advertising of Starlink’s service has been prohibited, signaling that various regulators do not recognize the service as authorized within their territories.

Turning to South Africa’s situation, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), which has a role analogous to Potraz, has pronounced the use of Starlink as illegal until the company secures the appropriate telecommunications and radio frequency spectrum licenses. It has also highlighted potential penalties for unauthorized service provision, which include substantial fines.

Given that the Starlink router is the only piece of customer equipment type-approved by Icasa in South Africa, the use of non-approved equipment is considered a significant issue since it not only risks operational discordance and interference but could also, according to Icasa, potentially cause explosions or implosions, posing safety risks to consumers.

To date, there have been no confirmed instances of Icasa or the South African Police Services (Saps) carrying out raids or penalizing individuals or businesses in South Africa for utilizing Starlink’s service. Nevertheless, the precedent set by the DRC and Zimbabwe, where roaming services have been terminated at the request of local governments, implies that Icasa might follow suit.

The ongoing ambiguity regarding service availability for South Africa on Starlink’s coverage map may suggest that the company is not currently prioritizing discussions with South Africa’s communications regulator. This could be a strategic choice by Starlink to avoid endangering its application processes in regions where it has more defined plans to commence operations.

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