Elon Musk’s satellite-based broadband company, Starlink, has long sought to circumvent South Africa’s stringent Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements to offer its services to South African residents, to no avail. With the company’s attempts to brute-force its way in being unsuccessful, Starlink has but one option: appeal to the residents of South Africa.
Reach for the Starlink
Which it has now done. In an email sent out on Friday to South Africans subscribed to updates of the company’s local movements, Starlink formally asked residents to share their support for the change in policy that would allow the company to operate legally within South Africa.
“Right now, Starlink is currently unable to apply for the licenses needed to operate in South Africa. But there is hope,” the plea reads. A recent Policy Directive from the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT) would give companies like Starlink a path to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s transformation goals.”
“We have recently submitted a proposal to the South African government that would bring free high-speed internet to thousands of rural schools, giving millions of students access to information, learning tools, and the digital future they deserve.”
This isn’t just about hitting ‘send tweet’ and hoping for the best. The email specifies that to make an impactful change and have the government adopt the DCDT Policy Direction No. 3218, they would need to email bbbee@dcdt.gov.za or call +27 (0)12 427 8107 before July 4, 2025, at 12h00 SAST.
Starlink hopes an influx of calls might convince the government to adopt the DCDT’s recent policy on ‘Equity Equivalents’ and would bring sweeping changes to South Africa’s telecom industry. This would allow Starlink to apply for the necessary licences required to operate locally and make good on its promises to bring free internet to rural schools, and supply high-speed internet for those who have waited for the service for some years.
“Thank you for your support. As soon as we are approved to operate in South Africa, we will let you know.”
