Starlink to Expand Internet Access Across Africa

SpaceX’s Starlink initiative is set to bring high-speed internet access to previously underserved regions in Africa. The company’s extensive plan for expansion in 2023 and 2024 is aligned with its mission to bridge the digital divide by providing connectivity to remote areas globally.

Starlink’s service, which boasts high-speed and low-latency connectivity, relies on a vast constellation of advanced satellites in low Earth orbit. The service is unique in that it does not require long-term contracts and allows users to cancel at any time, with a 30-day trial period and a full refund option for hardware returns.

The company aims to launch its service in 17 African countries in 2023, with an additional 16 countries scheduled for 2024. Another 18 countries have tentative launch windows. Starlink is currently in the process of obtaining a license to operate in Ghana, targeting a launch in Q4 2023.

However, South Africa’s timeline for access remains uncertain. The country’s communications and digital technologies minister, Mondli Gungubele, clarified that the government was not blocking Starlink’s operation but stated that the company hadn’t applied for a license to operate there.

The expansion rollout includes countries like Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, and Angola for 2023, while 2024 will see service launch in countries such as Zambia, Botswana, Egypt, and Tunisia. Notably, Starlink’s service is currently available in select African regions including Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and certain French islands.

The ambitious project holds the potential to transform connectivity landscapes in Africa, bringing the benefits of the digital age to areas where traditional infrastructure struggles to reach.