AfriForum Contests ICASA's Race-Based Licensing Hindering Starlink's Entry to South Africa

AfriForum, a South African civil rights organization, has submitted a formal stance against the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), challenging the race-based ownership requirements imposed on licensing of internet services, including the highly anticipated Starlink satellite internet service. The submission corresponds with ICASA's open call for public comments on the new Licensing Framework for Satellite Services.

Ernst van Zyl, the Head of Public Relations at AfriForum, emphasizes the urgency for South Africa to keep pace with its African neighbors regarding satellite internet technology. With Starlink operational in Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, AfriForum highlights the tangible benefits these services could bring, particularly to rural South Africa, where safety concerns are exacerbated by poor or non-existent cellphone signals.

The unreliability of communication networks in these regions poses a significant threat to safety and security, hindering both prevention and timely response to crimes. Starlink's high-speed, stable internet connection promises to address such issues by enabling dependable emergency communications and bolstering the effectiveness of security systems. However, ICASA’s current race-based criteria frame an obstruction to this technological advancement in South Africa, delaying a potential solution that could enhance public safety and save lives.

AfriForum's stance reflects a broader concern that racially discriminatory practices in licensing could be detrimental not only to rural community safety but also to the overall technological and economic progress of South Africa. By being one of the few African countries not onboard with the Starlink commissioning due to these requirements, South Africa risks lagging behind in harnessing new technologies.

The public comment period is a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to address such regulatory barriers. AfriForum’s submissions are a call to action, advocating for policy revision that favors technology adoption without race-based discrimination—a move they believe is in the best interest of all South Africans.