The plans for Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand into South Africa have stopped as the company pulled back from regulatory hearings conducted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), according to Techpoint.
On Wednesday evening, SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company owned by Elon Musk, told the telecom regulator that it would not engage in the oral hearings. This news came a few hours after SpaceX representatives failed to attend their upcoming presentation that morning.
Why did ICASA launch these hearings?
ICASA created these hearings to accumulate industry input on its suggested South African satellite services licensing framework. Setting up a registration process is a significant objective for international satellite operators hoping to offer services directly or through collaborations with licensed local providers.
Even though Starlink’s satellite internet service is already available in South Africa, the company has yet to receive official approval. The country’s 30% local ownership policy is another issue for the company, as SpaceX has openly critiqued it as another restriction.
“If ICASA removes this barrier, it would not only increase foreign investment in South Africa but also support industry growth, encourage competition, and drive innovation,” SpaceX said.
SpaceX hasn’t explained the rationale behind boycotting the hearing. However, ICASA’s hearing will proceed until Friday, with several industry stakeholders planning to present their perspectives.
Elon Musk says the equality laws are racist
South African officials say Musk has shown deep interest in starting Starlink’s satellite internet service in the country. In September, the South Africa-born entrepreneur shared that he was “still waiting for regulatory approval” from Pretoria after launching the business in Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
On Monday, he took to X to describe the country’s new Expropriation Act as “openly racist.” The law allows the state to seize land for public purpose to address racial inequalities in land ownership—most land is still owned by South Africa’s white minority.
President Donald Trump also shared his concerns over the weekend, stating that South Africa’s government was “treating certain classes of people very badly.”
Image: Getty/Kevork Djansezian/Business Insider
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