Siphumelele Zondi, a lecturer in Multimedia and Television at the Durban University of Technology, said while the low-orbit satellite service offers significantly faster internet access compared to traditional providers, affordability remains a major concern.

Zondi’s remarks come in the wake of renewed scrutiny over government policy, after Parliament summoned Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi to clarify aspects of a recently gazetted ICT policy directive.

The proposed directive could pave the way for Starlink to bypass SA’s mandatory 30% black ownership rule for foreign tech companies, a move that has drawn criticism and debate.

The issue gained further traction after Starlink founder Elon Musk, speaking at an event in Saudi Arabia, claimed the company was being blocked from operating in SA because of his race.

Zondi, however, steered the conversation back to the technology itself, explaining what sets Starlink apart from conventional internet services.

“Starlink uses low-Earth orbit satellites, unlike the more distant geostationary satellites we’re used to. That makes a big difference in terms of speed and responsiveness,” he said.

“All you need is a satellite dish, similar to a television dish, mounted on your roof. It connects directly to the low-orbit network, which dramatically reduces latency and improves the user experience.”

But despite its technical advantages, Zondi cautioned that Starlink’s pricing model could exclude the very communities it claims to help.

“Access alone isn't enough, the cost has to be manageable for everyday South Africans, particularly in underserved rural areas,” he added.

--ChannelAfrica--