ICASA, South Africa’s telecoms and media regulator, says it is still awaiting a formal licence application from SpaceX, and is not responsible for delays to the Elon Musk-backed business in South Africa.

Local reports say that ICASA has “no record” of any SpaceX application which would need to cover radio frequency spectrum or individual network service permits.

Far from delaying any applications, ICASA says it would welcome new applications for the provision of broadband satellite services in South Africa. Icasa reportedly sees SpaceX as supplying a ‘gap-filling’ role for the provision of broadband internet services to remote and underserviced areas in the nation.

Recently, an opposition MP said that SpaceX’s service in the country was being blocked. Dianne Kohler Barnard said that South Africa looked set to become one of the only African countries not to roll out Starlink.

Other posts by :

1. Bank: Space industry worth $1tn by 2040
2. Xona Space wants 259 LEO satellites
3. 36 major airlines now committed to Starlink
4. Quilty: Top 5 Washington Satellite show takeaways
5. Space Wars: Starlink vs Amazon Leo
6. Eutelsat seeks ISRO deal for launches
7. Virgin Galactic sets prices for space tourists
8. Devas vs Antrix rumbles on
9. Shotwell makes TIME front cover

Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: icasa, south africa, starlink