Elon Musk’s Starlink 'certainly' a game changer for Africa
Starlink provides global internet access through a vast network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, reaching over 60 countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
SpaceX, X, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends an event during the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, on 16 June 2023. Picture: AFP
Lester Kiewit interviews Jean-Jacques Cornish, our Africa correspondent.
Listen below (skip to 05:33).
Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa held a 'positive' meeting with billionaire Elon Musk as South Africa eagerly anticipates the launch of his Starlink satellite internet service.
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Musk’s SpaceX has developed Starlink, which provides global internet access through a vast network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, reaching over 60 countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
However, Cornish notes that in some regions, Starlink’s service can be ten times more expensive than that of other providers.
Reports indicate that Mozambique-based StarSat Africa initially priced its service at R1799 but has since lowered the cost. However, the price of its Starlink kit remains at R14 999, with a deposit of R1999 required to secure an order.
Additionally, IcasaSePush, another ISP providing Starlink, has reduced its monthly fee from R1499 to a range of between R880 to R1000.
"Certainly, it will be good for Africa; the connectivity is one of our problems and we have to get it right."
- Jean-Jacques Cornish
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