South Africa Contemplates Collaboration with China on Satellite Internet Project amid Starlink's Regulatory Hurdles
In a bid to improve internet access in rural and underserved areas of South Africa, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi recently embarked on a trip to China to discuss low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband solutions with the China Satellite Network Company (CSNC).
CSNC, a state-owned Chinese firm, is constructing an expansive constellation of nearly 13,000 LEO satellites. These satellites orbit significantly closer to Earth than traditional satellites, offering improved internet speeds and reduced latency crucial for real-time applications such as online education, telehealth, and business operations in isolated communities.
The aim is to address South Africa's persistent rural connectivity challenges. Mobile data is expensive or unavailable in many rural regions, creating a "last-mile" connectivity gap. The government is actively seeking solutions to bridge this digital divide.
South Africa has not yet approved SpaceX's Starlink due to regulatory and telecom ownership hurdles. However, the South African Department of Communications is open to partnerships with alternative providers like CSNC, indicating potential for CSNC satellite internet services to become a significant player in the country.
During his visit to China, Malatsi also met with tech giants Huawei and Honor. The focus of these discussions appears to be on improving access to technology rather than on broadband solutions. Malatsi explored strategies for making smart devices more accessible to students and entrepreneurs with Huawei and Honor.
The 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai, where the meetings with CSNC, Huawei, and Honor took place, indicates that South Africa is focusing on staying competitive in global innovation. Improved speeds and reduced latency offered by LEO satellites are seen as a necessity by Minister Malatsi, not a luxury.
It's important to note that no specific partnerships between the Department of Communications and Chinese companies, or between Malatsi and Huawei/Honor, have been announced. Financing partnerships with the Export-Import Bank of China are being considered to support broadband infrastructure development in underserved areas, reinforcing the seriousness of this initiative.
The project exemplifies China's strategic push into digital infrastructure in Africa, integrating satellite connectivity with broader investments in AI, smart devices, and digital skills to foster digital transformation and inclusion.
South Africa is not alone in this endeavour. Neighbouring countries Namibia, Lesotho, and Mozambique have already approved Starlink operations. The exploration and negotiation stage of CSNC's satellite internet project in South Africa underscore the government's commitment to closing the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion in the country.
- The China Satellite Network Company (CSNC) is collaborating with South Africa to address rural internet issues by constructing a constellation of LEO satellites, which could potentially revolutionize general-news sectors like online education and telehealth in Africa, offering a solution beyond SpaceX's Starlink due to regulatory and telecom barriers.
- The South African government, in tandem with its discussions on LEO broadband solutions with CSNC, has also been engaged in talks with tech giants Huawei and Honor, seeking strategies to enhance technology access for students and entrepreneurs, signifying a broader focus on science, technology, and politics, and underscoring the country's commitment to staying competitive in the space-and-astronomy and AI-driven digital world.
