Latest news with #ICASA
eNCA
10 hours ago
- Business
- eNCA
Service providers urged to follow proper channels
JOHANNESBURG - ICASA chairperson, Mothibi Ramusi, has urged telecommunication service providers to use the correct channels when applying for certification. This comes on the back of reports that some South Africans are illegally using Starlink services. The authority has also sent out its teams to conduct physical verifications in the affected areas. Starlink, an American service provider is not authorised or licensed to operate in the country. The satellite internet provider is owned by South African born billionaire, Elon Musk. The tech mogul wants to bring Starlink to SA but faces a major hurdle because of ownership. By law, every national network infrastructure and communications service provider must be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Starlink under scrutiny: Minister Malatsi backs ICASA's probe into unauthorised services
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi. Image: X / IOLGraphics Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has thrown his weight behind the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to investigate Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, for allegedly operating in the country without authorisation. This development comes after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) alleged that Starlink was offering its services in South Africa without a licence. ICASA confirmed that the organisation had launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in South Africa. ICASA spokesperson, Milly Matlou, said: 'ICASA has launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in SA. We have also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and have currently deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further.' If found guilty, the company could face enforcement actions, including fines or even a ban on its operations in the country. 'Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal, which may include, among others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),' Matlou said. The MKP alleged that Starlink was operating in South Africa without authorisation, using a shadow entity called "ICASAsePUSH" to masquerade its operations. The party claimed that this operation constitutes a 'blatant' violation of South African telecommunications law and represents a direct affront to the country's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework. The party launched its allegations during the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. 'During that session, the MK Party directly challenged the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies regarding his awareness of this operation. His professed ignorance was not only unacceptable but deeply troubling,' party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. Malatsi has expressed his full support for ICASA's investigation, stating that it is the regulator's responsibility to manage both licence applications and investigations. 'The minister was made aware of the allegations when they were raised in the portfolio committee on Tuesday. It is now ICASA's responsibility to investigate these allegations, and the minister fully supports this investigation,' Malatsi's spokesperson, Kwena Moloto, said. This will be the second time the authority investigates Starlink's dealings. In 2023, ICASA issued a notice, warning that it was illegal for anyone or company to use Starlink, as it doesn't hold a licence to operate in the country. Meanwhile, during the session on Tuesday, Malatsi defended his recently gazetted proposed ICT policy adjustments, saying that it was intended to attract investment into the sector. He said it was not a way to allow Elon Musk to operate in South Africa. 'We are not attempting to open a new dispensation for Starlink or any other company or individual,' he told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communication. 'We are saying that the regulations in our sector must consistently make provisions for the two choices that exist in any other sector,' Malatsi said after his department on Friday gazetted a proposed policy direction to the ICASA. Cape Argus
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Icasa could clip Starlink's wings if found to be operating illegally
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has defended ICT policy, denied special treatment for Starlink, and stressed the need to align sector regulations with transformation laws through equity equivalent investment options. Image: X / IOLGraphics Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink could be slapped with fines or even a ban on its operations if found to be offering services without authorisation in the country. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) confirmed that the organisation had launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in South Africa. This comes after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) alleged that Starlink was offering its services in South Africa without a licence. ICASA has also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and has deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further. ICASA spokesperson Milly Matlou said: 'ICASA has launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in SA. We have also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and have currently deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further.' According to ICASA, its investigation will determine whether Starlink has indeed breached South African laws and regulations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading If found guilty, the company could face enforcement actions, including fines or even a ban on its operations in the country. 'Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the Authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal, which may include, among others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),' Matlou said. 'To this end, ICASA has published a general notice under Government Gazette no 49777 reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services within South Africa are required to comply fully with the applicable legislative and regulatory frameworks.' The MKP alleged that Starlink was operating in South Africa without authorisation, using a shadow entity called "ICASAsePUSH" to masquerade its operations. The party claimed that this constitutes a 'blatant' violation of South African telecommunications law and represents a direct affront to the country's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework. The party made the allegations during the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. 'During that session, the MK Party directly challenged the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies regarding his awareness of this operation. His professed ignorance was not only unacceptable but deeply troubling,' spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. 'The MK Party will not tolerate the erosion of our legal framework by foreign profiteers or their local enablers. We categorically reject any attempt to circumvent B-BBEE laws under the guise of innovation or foreign investment.' Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has expressed his full support for ICASA's investigation, stating that it is the regulator's responsibility to manage both license applications and investigations. This will be the second time the ICASA investigates Starlink's dealings. In 2023, ICASA issued a notice, warning that it was illegal for anyone or company to use Starlink, as it doesn't hold a license to operate in the country. Cape Times
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Starlink 'Deal' Exposes BBBEE Ideological Fault Lines
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2024. Of major concern is the notion that Starlink is the only, or even the best, option for satellite internet is misleading, says the writer. Image: Picture: Presidency Reneva Fourie ON MAY 23, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, issued a policy directive proposal offering alternatives to broad-based black economic empowerment. This follows a policy directive to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) requiring it to investigate whether to open up applications for individual electronic communications network services (ECNS) licences. These announcements coincided with engagements between Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump during a trip to the United States. A deal with Starlink was publicly advocated in a public session related to the meeting. Some critics believe that the directives have been introduced specifically to help Starlink enter the market in a way that isn't completely straightforward. This concern is reasonable. During a meeting with the Portfolio Committee on 27 May, Minister Malatsi discussed the purpose of these new directives but struggled to explain why such major changes are needed. This uncertainty has left many people questioning who will benefit from these directives. Despite the controversy, it is essential to acknowledge that South Africa does face substantial connectivity challenges, especially in remote and underserved areas. According to ICASA's 2025 State of the ICT Sector Report, 3G and 4G coverage is nearly universal, with 3G at 99.79% and 4G at 99.07%. However, broadband quality remains a pressing issue. The report reveals that South Africa ranks 102 out of 154 countries in fixed broadband speed, with average download speeds at 48.51 Mbps and upload speeds at 39.75 Mbps. Furthermore, only 82.06 per cent of the country has broadband access, mainly driven by terrestrial fixed wireless broadband, highlighting the persistent digital divide, particularly in rural communities. The national broadband strategy, SA Connect, was intended to bridge this gap, but its implementation has faltered, failing to deliver on its promise of accessible, high-quality, and affordable connectivity. Against this backdrop, satellite internet offers an appealing solution. It has the potential to rapidly extend internet access to rural and hard-to-reach areas without the massive infrastructure investment required for terrestrial networks. It is within this context that many view the entry of operators like Starlink as a potentially valuable development if managed equitably and transparently. The framework that governs the provision of electronic communications services (ECS) and networks (ECNS) in South Africa is dictated by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). Under the current regime, new entrants must obtain individual ECS and ECNS licences from ICASA. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies grilled Minister Solly Malatsi on his draft policy directive relating to the Equity Equivalence Investment Programme and applications for licencing in the ICT sector, Cape Town, May 27, 2025. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers However, such licences are not readily available and can only be issued if the Minister of Communications and Technologies issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA). As it stands, the only feasible route is through the acquisition of licences from existing holders, a process both cumbersome and time-consuming. Compounding this challenge is the ECA's requirement that licensees must be at least 30% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals or groups. This stipulation is a cornerstone of South Africa's efforts to address systemic economic inequality and is a critical component of the B-BBEE framework. The Minister's policy directive allows for multinationals to make EEIPs as an alternative to direct equity transfer. While this provision aims to uphold the spirit of empowerment, it also introduces a degree of flexibility that, if abused, could undermine the transformative goals of the original policy. The core concern for many observers is not the inclusion of satellite operators per se, but the apparent preferential treatment of Starlink, a company led by Elon Musk – who has a contentious relationship with South Africa and has been accused of using his international platform to discredit the country. Reports suggest that Musk has lobbied extensively for Starlink to bypass the B-BBEE regulations, advocating for preferential procurement and regulatory exemptions. In December 2022, Starlink indefinitely paused its plans to launch in the country. Nevertheless, companies that facilitate the import and activation of Starlink's regional roaming services have brought Starlink kits into the country prompting ICASA to issue a formal notice declaring that using Starlink locally is illegal. The timing of the directives, shortly after engagements with former President Trump – a Musk ally – has fuelled speculation that the Minister's policy interventions are politically motivated and tailored to facilitate Starlink's market entry without due legislative or regulatory process. If true, this would not only set a dangerous precedent but also effectively bypass Parliament, thereby undermining the rule of law and institutional checks and balances. Another major concern is the potential erosion of South Africa's regulatory integrity. Licensing under the ECA is a tightly governed process intended to ensure that all market participants are subject to the same rules and standards. In addition, ICASA is refining a Licensing Framework for Satellite Services. By issuing directives that circumvent these established protocols, the Minister risks destabilising the sector and weakening ICASA's authority. Of major concern is that the notion that Starlink is the only, or even the best, option for satellite internet is misleading. Alternative providers such as China's Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company offer more advanced technology with significantly higher transmission speeds. Satellite service providers should be selected based on the best strategic choice for the country. South Africa needs to proceed with caution as it works through the challenges of expanding its digital services, updating regulations, and managing relationships with other countries. While providing everyone with internet access is important and urgent, the approaches taken must be affordable, reliable, transparent and fair. If South Africa decides to allow satellite companies into the market, it should still follow the laws already in place or make appropriate changes through Parliament. Additionally, foreign companies should not be allowed to push aside local policies that aim to support economic fairness and social justice. South Africa must stand firm against pressure to make decisions that benefit a small group of people at the cost of the larger community. The country's future in technology relies not just on making sure people can connect but also on fair governance and upholding the law. * Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about Musk's claim Starlink can't operate in South Africa because he's not Black
On May 20, 2025, Elon Musk, the South Africa-born tech billionaire who owns the space aeronautics company SpaceX (among others), spoke about his businesses at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg's Mishal Husain asked Musk about potential conflicts of interest between his tight connection with U.S. President Donald Trump and his businesses. Discussing Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by SpaceX, Husain claimed there was "some evidence that companies are allowing access to it because they want to be close to the Trump administration," and pointed to South Africa as an example. Musk responded by claiming that he couldn't get a license for Starlink in South Africa, because in his words, "I'm not Black." (It wasn't the first time Musk had made the claim — he also did so on his social media platform X on March 7.) Users shared the claim widely on social media following Musk's remarks. (X user @cb_doge) However, South Africa's telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, told the BBC in March that Starlink wasn't banned from the country at all. The nation's foreign ministry said Starlink would be welcome to operate in the country as long as it followed South African law. Snopes reached out to ICASA to ask whether Starlink had submitted an application in the last few months or if the South African government had come to an agreement with Musk that would allow Starlink to operate in the nation. A representative told us by email that Starlink "has not applied for a license with ICASA." In other words, Musk's company simply hasn't done the paperwork required to operate in the nation, according to ICASA. There is some legal nuance to this matter. Following the 1994 end of apartheid, the policy of legal segregation that effectively blocked the country's Black majority from participating in politics or the economy, then-President Nelson Mandela's government passed legislation aiming to prop up the nonwhite population's economic power. One such law requires many companies operating in South Africa to give local Black firms a stake in operations within the nation. According to February 2025 reporting from Semafor, the South African government was considering giving Musk's ventures, including Starlink, an exception to that rule. On May 20, Bloomberg reported that the nation's government had in fact struck such a deal, partly to reduce tensions between the country and Trump. Snopes has not independently confirmed these reports. Both Musk and Trump have publicly floated the conspiracy theory that there is a "white genocide" taking place within South Africa (Snopes checked the theory in 2018 and rated it false). The Trump administration withheld aid from the country in February 2025 on the grounds that white South Africans faced discrimination. Apartheid | South Africa, Definition, Facts, Beginning, & End | Britannica. 17 May 2025, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment – The Department of Trade Industry and Competition. Accessed 22 May 2025. Elon Musk's Starlink and the Racially Charged Row over Operating in South Africa. 16 Apr. 2025, Gedeon, Joseph. "US Suspends Aid to South Africa after Trump Order." The Guardian, 6 Mar. 2025. The Guardian, Palma, Bethania. "Is a 'Large-Scale Killing' of White Farmers Underway in South Africa?" Snopes, 24 Aug. 2018, Prinsloo, Loni, and S'thembile Cele. "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal Before Trump Meet." Bloomberg, 20 May 2025, South Africa Might Bypass Black Ownership Rules for Musk. 10 Feb. 2025, "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal before Trump Meeting, Bloomberg News Reports." Reuters, 20 May 2025.
