Elon Musk’s Starlink 'life-changing' for rural South Africa
Musk's satellite internet service will likely revolutionise connectivity in rural South Africa.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is pictured during a visit at the company's electric car plant in Gruenheide near Berlin, eastern Germany, on 13 March 2024, as employees resumed work after production had to be halted due to a suspected arson attack that caused a power outage. Picture: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Africa Melane is joined by Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband.
Listen below.
ALSO READ: Starlink waits for go-ahead in South Africa, but ICASA hasn't received application
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service could be a game changer for South Africa.
A recent post by SpaceX founder Elon Musk on his X platform suggested South Africa will become the latest African country to get the service.
There's been no word from the Independent Communications Authority (ICASA) about when it will be available in South Africa.
If offered in South Africa, it would provide people mainly in rural areas access to better internet connectivity.
Vermuelen says while it's not designed to replace fibre, it will help a specific target market.
"As more people in outlying areas come on line, I think it benefits us all. It will definitely benefit folks in those areas who need a faster internet connection.
- Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband
"It works best when there's a clear view of the sky... If you're on a farm or in a village in more rural South Africa, having Starlink as an option when you don't have good 4G or 5G coverage... Starlink's life changing!"
- Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband
Vermuelen says even though it's not 'officially' available here yet, there are some stories of it being used successfully in South Africa.
"There's feel-good stories of rural schools being connected... to fast food chains, who prefer to remain nameless, because you're not actually supposed to have this yet, to government departments using Starlink in outlying areas."
- Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband
"They will benefit because suddenly their Starlink will be cheaper. They won't have to pay for regional roaming anymore... it will cut the monthly premium..."
- Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband
One of the criticisms of Starlink is that it isn't necessarily a cheaper alternative to existing services.
However, Vermeulen says it is still price-competitive.
"... Starlink... it's price competitive with fibre in South Africa..."
- Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband
ALSO READ: Starlink will go dark for SA users at the end of the month
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