ICASA denies stymying Starlink
April 24, 2023
By Chris Forrester
ICASA, South Africa’s telecoms and media regulator, says it is still awaiting a formal licence application from SpaceX, and is not responsible for delays to the Elon Musk-backed business in South Africa.
Local reports say that ICASA has “no record” of any SpaceX application which would need to cover radio frequency spectrum or individual network service permits.
Far from delaying any applications, ICASA says it would welcome new applications for the provision of broadband satellite services in South Africa. Icasa reportedly sees SpaceX as supplying a ‘gap-filling’ role for the provision of broadband internet services to remote and underserviced areas in the nation.
Recently, an opposition MP said that SpaceX’s service in the country was being blocked. Dianne Kohler Barnard said that South Africa looked set to become one of the only African countries not to roll out Starlink.