Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has terminated numerous accounts in South Africa suspected of trademark and copyright infringements, sparking controversy and leaving many South African Starlink users frustrated.
According to reports from MyBroadband, several Starlink users who use StarSat Africa to manage their accounts have experienced downtime, prompting concerns and complaints among affected users. In response, Starlink has cited violations of its terms of use and copyrights, particularly regarding the unauthorised use of the Starlink logo by resellers for marketing purposes.
Resellers in South Africa, such as StarSat, facilitate the access to Starlink’s services through roaming packages purchased from licenced countries. However, Starlink’s services in South Africa currently operate without a licence, rendering them technically illegal in the country.
In November 2023, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) issued a warning against the import and sale of Starlink satellite Internet terminals, deeming the practice illegal and subject to potential fines of up to R5 million or 10% of annual turnover.
South Africa is not alone in imposing restrictions on Starlink’s operations. Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) and Zimbabwe’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) have also issued warnings against Starlink being used in their respective countries.
Senegal has also implemented a ban on the sale of Starlink kits, resulting in arrests and potential imprisonment for violators. Despite facing opposition, Starlink has successfully launched its services in several African countries, with Benin becoming the seventh African nation to adopt Starlink services in November last year.
