South African Regulator Investigates Unauthorised Starlink Services Amid BEE Debate

South Africa's communications regulator ICASA has warned against the use of unlicensed Starlink satellite internet services, emphasizing that Starlink has not submitted the necessary operating licenses to comply with national regulations, including Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) ownership requirements. The government has proposed a controversial policy allowing foreign companies like Starlink to meet equity obligations through investments rather than ownership, a move critics argue favors Starlink and undermines economic transformation efforts. ICASA has launched a formal investigation into reports of Starlink's unauthorized operations in South Africa and is conducting inspections, with potential enforcement actions including complaints to international bodies. Meanwhile, telecom operators such as Vodacom view satellite internet as a complementary technology to existing infrastructure, particularly beneficial for improving connectivity in remote regions, and are exploring partnerships with satellite providers. Regulatory authorities remain cautious, with ICASA reviewing frameworks for satellite operators while Starlink has yet to formally apply for market entry. Separately, Australian regulators have issued warnings to Starlink for failing to meet mandatory customer complaint reporting requirements, reflecting increased scrutiny as Starlink expands internationally.