Contrary to some recent reports that Starlink would not be available in South Africa, local sources say that SpaceX is making moves that would see its equipment sold legitimately in the country. Just days ago South African communications regulator Icasa, in the nation’s official Government Gazette, published a notice about “illegal provision of satellite internet […]
Icasa, South Africa’s communications regulator, is complaining about grey market Starlink dish sales in South Africa. Starlink is not licensed in the country. Icasa says such sales are illegal and “must stop immediately”. Icasa believes that dishes and modems are being brought into South Africa from neighbouring countries where they are licensed to operate. Starlink […]
SABC, South Africa’s public broadcaster – currently in serious debt – has hired Nomsa Chabeli, the former General Manager of telco MTN as its new CEO. Chabeli was also previously marketing director of MultiChoice’s SuperSport and DStv divisions. SABC stated: “[Chabeli] also has a credible history of developing persuasive and highly influential brand messaging that […]
As previously reported, South African telco Telkom has asked regulator Icasa to delay its planned spectrum auction, citing anxieties over its ability to fund participation in an auction. The move has prompted Telkom’s rival MTN to complain about the possible delay while another competitor, Vodacom, wants Icasa to come up with a process that considers […]
South African telco Telkom has asked communications regulator Icasa to delay its upcoming spectrum auction because it fears it doesn’t have the funds to participate. Icasa sold off a batch of frequencies in 2022 for 4G and 5G services which resulted in Telkom’s rivals (MTN and Vodacom) obtaining significant allocations. Icasa had planned to hold […]
MultiChoice, operator of the DStv pay-TV system, has lost almost 500,000 subscribers in South Africa. The latest interim financial results show that the loss at the end of September placed the operator’s total subscriber numbers (90-day active) at 8.629 million, or 486,000 less than the 9.115 million at the same point last year. MultiChoice says […]
South Africa’s deputy communications minister Philly Mapulane has told the country’s parliament that public broadcaster SABC is not only technically insolvent but owes broadcasting transmission distributor Sentech more than Rand 700 million (about $35.5m) – around half of Sentech’s annual revenue. SABC presented its financial plan to government for 2023-2024 on November 7th. The presentation […]
MultiChoice reports it has closed down a video pirate in Krugersdorp, a city north-west of Johannesburg, South Africa. Irdeto provides the protection for MultiChoice systems. The pirate, Pieter Lombard, was convicted for his role in facilitating unauthorised access to copyrighted content. Lombard was arrested on November 12th 2020 in Monument Park, Krugersdorp, with 12 illegal […]
The legal application by South Africa’s eMedia Holdings against MultiChoice and arguing for access to TV coverage of the Rugby World Cup was thrown out by the Johannesburg High Court on October 10th. Technically, the legal move was “struck out” and not heard by the court which upset eMedia’s lawyers. The judge in the case […]
South Africa’s pay-TV operator MultiChoice has the rights to show the Rugby World Cup, and rival broadcaster eTV is not happy. eMedia is suing MultiChoice and has taken out advertisements in South African newspapers complaining about what it alleges is a monopoly on sports coverage. The situation is complicated by sub-licensing rights which the nation’s […]