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South Africa may soon welcome a new contender in the satellite internet space\u2014and it\u2019s not Starlink. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi recently traveled to China, where he held talks with the China Satellite Network Company (CSNC) to explore low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband solutions aimed at addressing South Africa\u2019s persistent rural connectivity challenges.<\/p>\n
This development highlights the government\u2019s determination to close the digital divide, particularly in regions where mobile data is unaffordable or internet access is completely lacking. CSNC, a state-owned Chinese firm, is developing a satellite network designed to compete with SpaceX\u2019s Starlink, which currently operates in 21 African countries. However, Starlink has yet to launch in South Africa due to regulatory hurdles involving local telecom licensing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccess to affordable broadband is no longer a luxury; it\u2019s a necessity,\u201d Malatsi said following his meetings in China. \u201cWe\u2019re actively seeking solutions to bridge the last-mile gap in our rural and underserved communities, and satellite broadband stands out as a promising option.\u201d<\/p>\n
CSNC is constructing an expansive constellation of nearly 13,000 LEO satellites, which orbit significantly closer to Earth than traditional satellites. These low-altitude satellites offer improved speeds and reduced latency\u2014crucial for real-time applications like online education, remote healthcare, and small business operations in isolated areas.<\/p>\n
While neighbouring countries such as Namibia, Lesotho, and Mozambique have already approved Starlink operations, South Africa remains on the sidelines. Local telecom ownership regulations have slowed the process. In the interim, the Department of Communications appears open to forging partnerships with alternative providers, including Chinese companies.<\/p>\n
In addition to discussions with CSNC, Malatsi also met with tech giants Huawei and Honor to explore strategies for making smart devices more accessible to students and entrepreneurs. His visit concluded at the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai\u2014an indication that South Africa is not only focused on improving access, but also on staying competitive in global innovation.<\/p>\n