Amazon's satellite internet service aiming to provide broadband access in underserved regions.
How Amazon outmanoeuvred Starlink in South Africa
Amazon Leo secured a route into South Africa through a partnership with Herotel. Starlink, despite having over 10,000 satellites, remains unable to operate in South Africa due to regulatory issues.
Amazon Leo all set for South African launch
Amazon's Leo satellite broadband service is launching in South Africa via a partnership with Herotel. Herotel will acquire all necessary licenses to operate the service, sidestepping regulatory issues faced by Starlink.
South Africa’s broadband future is being decided in orbit, not in Pretoria
Icasa advises satellite operators to buy existing licenses rather than expect new ones. The Electronic Communications Act restricts Icasa from issuing new network licenses until a policy direction is provided.
Icasa’s blunt message to Starlink and other satellite operators
Icasa has confirmed that satellite operators cannot obtain new network licenses directly for constellation services in South Africa. Prospective operators must negotiate with existing license holders to acquire necessary licenses.
Amazon Kuiper lands in Nigeria, but it isn’t chasing Starlink’s customers
Amazon's Project Kuiper is expected to launch in Nigeria in 2026, following regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission. Starlink has been operational in Nigeria since January 30, 2023, focusing on rapid subscriber growth with a plug-and-play model.
