South Africa’s communications regulator Icasa continues to defy the nation’s Communications Minister Solly Malatsi’s demand that permission be given for SpaceX’s Starlink to operate in the country.

In a statement on May 13th, Icasa said that to grant such permission would need an amendment to the country’s Electronic Communications Act (ECA). Icasa says it had communicated its position to the ministry and remained committed to advancing transformation in the sectors it regulates. But it set a clear limit on what it can do under the current law.

“While the amended ICT sector code must be applied in licensing qualification criteria, full alignment with all provisions of the code, including equity equivalent investment programmes, would require a legislative amendment to the current ECA,” Icasa stated.

The Icasa response follows on from the Minister’s comment to parliament on May 12, while speaking on the budget vote, that the government would “pursue legislative amendments that will enable equity equivalent investment programmes to complement ownership requirements in telecommunications”.

Other posts by :

1. Analyst: Years of subs growth ahead for Starlink
2. SES CEO: “Multi-orbit is now key”
3. More details emerge on SpaceX IPO
4. Viasat confident despite SpaceX threats
5. Blue Origin launch pad destroyed
6. AST SpaceMobile’s story “more than hype”
7. Musk to merge Tesla with SpaceX?
8. AST SpaceMobile aiming for 15-year satellite life?
9. SpaceX still targets intercontinental travel

Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: icasa, south africa, starlink