SpaceX has suspended the service of Starlink users who were accessing the satellite Internet service illegally in SA, reports News24.

This follows a warning from the country’s communications regulator sent to SpaceX about illegal usage.

Since 31 May, numerous people on the ‘Starlink Users SA’ Facebook group have been complaining that their Starlink service had been suspended. Many complainants have attached notices purportedly sent by SpaceX stating that they have been accessing the services illegally and their accounts will be suspended.

Starlink has been directed by Icasa to disable any Starlink service in SA.

'It appears you purchased Starlink in another country and have brought it into this unauthorised territory. Unfortunately, some businesses fraudulently advertised and facilitated your access to our network – we have no association with these illegitimate organisations', states the SpaceX notice.

The notice continues to say that Starlink has appealed to Icasa to look for an ‘interim solution’ until Starlink is authorised to operate in SA.

Last week Icasa said it would consider lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union if its investigation revealed non-compliance with the law.

A spokesperson for Icasa said the regulator received a response from SpaceX on 5 June and that senior leadership was still reviewing it.

MTN has expressed support for Starlink being licensed to operate in the country.

However, this was only if Elon Musk’s satellite Internet service licence complied with black economic empowerment regulations.

The Sunday Tribune reports that the company which operates in various countries across the continent, described Starlink as one of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication providers that could significantly accelerate connectivity, ‘particularly in rural and under-served areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or costly to deploy’.

‘By providing high-speed, lowlatency Internet, leveraging LEO capabilities could bridge the digital divide, supporting SA’s national goals of broader digital inclusion, economic development and innovation,’ said MTN Group chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Nompilo Morafo. 

Starlink currently operates in 18 of the 54 countries in Africa, and it would expand to 10 more before the end of the year.

Full News24 report

Full Sunday Tribune report