Starlink cuts prices in South Africa
February 9, 2024
By Chris Forrester
SpaceX’s Starlink broadband services is officially not allowed in South Africa. However, various reports suggest that it already has around 14,000 users.
One report says that StarSat Africa, the Mozambique-based Starlink importer, will be servicing South Africa with equipment, is set to cut prices for Starlink equipment by 13-20 per cent by the end of February.
This price reduction follows SpaceX’s recent decision to offer bulk order discounts to supliers. The planned price cut is set to occur despite Starlink being officially prohibited by South Africa’s communications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
Current prices are high. However, StarSat Africa has revealed plans to reduce the current R14,999 ($789.56) price for Starlink kit to somewhere between R12,000 ($631.69) and R13,000 ($684.33). The price includes all shipment, VAT, and import fees.
StarSat provides satellite internet services to a number of African nations. In addition to South Africa, StarSat Africa imports and delivers Starlink kits to 17 other sub-Saharan countries including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya. Some of these nations have yet to authorise Starlink an operating licence.
StarSat says that demand from these markets remains high despite the premium pricing.