Offices of satellite TV provider StarSat raided as licence dispute escalates

South Africa's communications watchdog carried out an apparently dramatic raid on StarSat's Midrand offices on Wednesday, accompanied by law enforcement.

The action was related to StarSat failing to renew its license on time, which the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) had warned it about.

The satellite television service is operated by OnDigital Media (ODM).

StarSat charges that while its equipment was disconnected during the raid, not only were ODM’s services impacted but also those of StarTimes Media’s pan-African broadcast.

It says in a statement that ODM is exploring all legal avenues to resolve the issue swiftly.

"While we acknowledge Icasa’s mandate to shut down ODM’s South African services, we are appalled by the manner in which ICASA disregarded ODM’s reasonable initial request for a discussion regarding which equipment should be removed, should the execution order be carried out."

StarSat statement

It does seem that Icasa is on solid regulatory ground regarding the license renewal, says MyBroadband editor Jan Vermeulen, but this would be less clear if StarSat launched legal action in response to Wednesday's events.

"They didn't file the application on time is what it boils down to. StarSat has all kinds of excuses for this, but Icasa is a creature of statutes."

Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband

Vermeulen notes that TopTV, the first incarnation of StarSat, had been placed in business rescue before StarTimes bought a 20% stake in the company and renamed it.

How is it really faring in the competitive South African market?

"StarSat does seem to be one of those services targeted specifically towards expats and not really at the mainstream South African audience. Just by that very nature it's a niche service and it's not going to be making money hand over fist."

Jan Vermeulen, Editor - MyBroadband

Adding to this is TV and film critic Thinus Ferrera, who says he doesn't see StarSat recovering from this blow.

"I don't see a way that StarSat will survive; I think it's gone. And we're transitioning into digital and streaming, so I don't foresee another traditional satellite pay-TV operator taking its place."

Thinus Ferrera - TV Critic