AMAZON SET TO LAUNCH NEW SATELLITE INTERNET SERVICE IN SOUTH AFRICA AS ELON MUSK’S STARLINK STILL WAITS FOR MARKET ENTRY
Amazon’s satellite internet subsidiary, Amazon Leo, has partnered with Herotel to launch a new satellite broadband service in South Africa before the end of the year.
The new service, called evry, is designed to bring high-speed internet to underserved rural communities and smaller towns where reliable broadband access remains limited.
The development comes as Elon Musk’s Starlink is still unable to begin commercial operations in South Africa. Starlink has not yet entered the local market due to regulatory requirements governing telecommunications licensing and ownership.
South Africa has recently introduced changes that allow foreign companies to meet empowerment requirements through approved investment programmes instead of only through local equity ownership. However, Starlink has not yet launched its services in the country.
If the rollout goes ahead as planned, Amazon’s partnership with Herotel could make it one of the first major international satellite internet providers to offer services in South Africa, increasing competition and expanding internet access to more communities.
Do you think Amazon’s satellite internet service will succeed in South Africa, or are you still waiting for Starlink?