Elon Musk’s Starlink expands broadband coverage in Southern Africa
Eswatini, Southern Africa – Starlink, the satellite internet service provider founded by Elon Musk, officially launched in Eswatini on December 18, making it the 8th country in Africa to gain access to the service. The company, known for using low earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband internet, received its operating license in June after applying in March 2023.
Starlink’s broadband service is designed to provide reliable connectivity to both urban and remote areas, supporting activities such as streaming, online gaming, and video calls. The service is now available in 10 markets overall in Africa.
In Eswatini, Starlink offers a “Residential” package priced at R1,070 (~$58) per month, with an additional cost of R12,450 (~$670) for the Standard rectangular antenna and shipping. The country has over 710,000 internet users out of a population of just over 1.2 million, according to DataReportal. However, the high poverty rates, with over 55% of the population living on less than $3.65 a day, may position Starlink as more of a premium service.
Starlink’s presence extends to other African countries, including Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Nigeria. In Zimbabwe and Botswana, regulators are currently vetting the company’s application for an operating license.
Despite its success in expanding in the southern Africa region, Starlink is facing regulatory challenges in South Africa, potentially its largest and most lucrative market. The importation and usage of Starlink have been banned in South Africa due to regulatory requirements, including allocating 30% ownership to historically disadvantaged groups, a provision the company is reportedly contesting.