Starlink crackdown in South Africa

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) says it has taken steps to address the allegedly unlawful use of Starlink in the country.

Starlink is a low-Earth orbit satellite broadband service operated by SpaceX, in which South African-born Elon Musk owns an estimated 42% stake.

“Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorisation,” the sector regulator said.

“To this end, Icasa has published a general notice reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services within South Africa are required to comply fully with the applicable legislative and regulatory frameworks.”

Icasa said it has also formally engaged SpaceX to seek clarity on the reported activities and is currently awaiting a response.

“Furthermore, Icasa has instituted a formal investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and to gather relevant facts and evidence,” it said.

“Members of the public and industry stakeholders who are in possession of any supporting evidence are encouraged to submit such information to this email [email protected] to assist with the investigation.”

In the interim, Icasa said inspection teams have been deployed to conduct physical verifications in the affected areas.

Icasa said the operation was being executed in collaboration with other relevant organs of state to ensure a coordinated and lawful response.

“Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the Authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal,” said Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi.

“This may include, amongst others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union.”

Icasa said it holds an uncompromising position against non-compliance within the South African regulatory environment of any form.

The crackdown comes after parliamentarian Nhlamulo Ndhlela highlighted the existence of IcasaSePush in a communications portfolio committee meeting yesterday.

“So, Minister, what are you going to do about that?” Ndhlela asked communications minister Solly Malatsi.

Malatsi was invited to the portfolio committee meeting to be grilled over his proposed policy direction to align the ownership requirements for telecommunications licences with the B-BBEE Code for the ICT sector.

In response to Ndhlela, Malatsi said he was not aware of IcasaSePush.

Second warning

This is not the first time Icasa has warned that using Starlink in South Africa was illegal. It issued a similar warning in November 2023 by official notice published in the Government Gazette.

Icasa has referenced this gazetted notice in the crackdown it announced on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, indicating that it remains current.

“The Authority, as a creature of statute, has a responsibility to protect its licensees and consumers by ensuring that there is fair participation and competition in the market,” the notice stated.

Icasa said any broadcasting or telecommunications services operating without the necessary service and radio frequency spectrum licences contravened the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).

It warned that the Icasa Act stipulates that anyone providing a service without a licence, or without registering as required, is guilty of an offence.

Those found guilty would be liable to a fine of up to R5,000,000 or 10% of annual turnover — whichever is greater — for every day or part thereof during which the offence continued.

The regulator also alleged at the time that Starlink’s equipment was not type-approved in South Africa.

Icasa said the ECA stipulates that no person may possess, use, supply, sell, offer for sale, lease or hire any type of electronic communications equipment or facility, including radio apparatus, unless it has been type-approved.

“Non-type-approved equipment poses a risk of causing harmful interference to the radio frequency spectrum,” Icasa stated.

“It further causes a lack of dissonance among devices operating in the same environment, resulting in equipment not being functional,” the regulator continued.

Icasa said that the only Starlink equipment that has been type-approved in South Africa is its Ka-band and V3 Earth Station Gateways, and its router.

However, it remains unclear whether Starlink’s dish antennas were approved along with the router and gateways, as they are sold as a kit.

The regulator provided the following table summarising the Starlink equipment that has been type-approved in South Africa.