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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the telecoms regulator of the country, has instructed IT Lec, a Northern Cape-based internet service provider (ISP), to halt the importation of Starlink kits and discontinue any active Starlink internet services provided to users in South Africa.

Although SpaceX, the maker of Starlink, has not yet obtained an operational license, IT Lec had found a way to offer the service to its customers. However, ICASA has now warned the ISP to abandon this workaround.

IT Lec had been importing kits that enable Starlink’s roaming service into South Africa. By providing users with an antenna and a router, they could enjoy fast broadband internet. The kits were reportedly priced at R15,000, with an additional monthly charge of R1,799 for the roaming service.

Despite IT Lec’s intentions, ICASA strongly frowned upon their activities. ICASA had engaged in discussions with IT Lec, but no positive outcome resulted from those efforts.

Last year, South Africa had been anticipating the launch of Starlink’s satellite internet service. However, the availability date was postponed from 2022 to 2023 before being replaced with an “Unknown” status by SpaceX. This delay is attributed to a requirement of the Electronic Communications Act, which states that at least 30% of a telecoms license applicant must be owned by historically-disadvantaged groups, including women, blacks, and the disabled. As SpaceX’s ownership comprises various investment companies, meeting this requirement is challenging.

Dawiw de Wet, CEO of Q-KON Africa, mentioned that IT Lec has not committed any illegal actions by importing Starlink kits. He added that Starlink has a global constellation that aims to cover every market, unless a territory fails to comply with its business directives. In such cases, Starlink’s services can be restricted.

IT Lec has managed to keep the satellite internet service active in South Africa despite the order to discontinue it. The ISP redirected its customers to a company based in Mozambique, which is licensed to offer Starlink kits. IT Lec hopes to use Mozambique as a base to provide kits to other African countries where the product is not yet available.

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