Starlink did NOT apply for SA licence despite BEE complaints

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Despite Elon Musk’s claims that his internet satellite provider, Starlink, was denied a license to operate in South Africa, new information has suggested that the company did not apply for one.

The world’s richest man – born in Pretoria – has repeatedly called out his country of birth for implementing “racist laws” like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).

STARLINK DID NOT APPLY FOR LICENCE

According to new information, Starlink has not applied for a license to operate in South Africa, despite Elon Musk’s BEE and “racism” rant suggesting it had hindered the process.

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) stated this week that the internet satellite company, which falls under SpaceX, had not yet applied for a license.

Although Starlink is available in other neighbouring countries, ICASA Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi stated that licenses must be issued for potential service providers.

Ramusi told ITVWeb: “When we issue those licenses, there are specific conditions. There are issues in this country when you talk about black empowerment to the extent that there’s a 30% BEE requirement – it’s a policy.

“Our licensing process is fairly clear and one will just have to conform to the requirements. Should they decide to come through any other person, those people must have a license as well.”

As such, ICASA has also warned South Africans to be wary of “illegal” provision of satellite internet services through Starlink terminals in the country and some entities distributing its products in the country.

Late last year, SpaceX argued that SA’s BEE requirement would drive away foreign investors, who have global policies that prevent local shareholding. The company reportedly handed in a written submission to ICASA to “rethink” its BEE legislature.

SIMILAR SETBACK IN LESOTHO

South Africa isn’t the only African country whose legislature has hindered Elon Musk’s operation of the low-earth orbit satellites.

Lesotho, a landlocked country with SA, has also objected to the foreign company’s operation without local shareholding.

Like SA’s BEE laws, Lesotho’s Section 2 body (similar to ICASA) has called on SpaceX to make 30% of Starlink’s equity in the country available to the Basotho people as a licensing condition.

In a statement, the organisation said: “While Section 2 recognises the potential benefits of expanded internet access, we respectfully oppose the issuance of this license to Starlink due to the complete absence of local ownership in the company”.