Financial analysts raise questions about Amazon Leo's launch in South Africa

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Concerns about Starlink rival launching in South Africa

Top financial analysts in South Africa have questioned Amazon Leo's capacity to launch its services to local customers, as it remains untested, compared to its larger rival, SpaceX and Starlink.

Starlink is already available in over 160 countries worldwide, including 28 countries in Africa. Meanwhile, South Africa will be among the first countries to see Amazon Leo's services.
 
This Leo nonsense is ridiculous - must be the ANC behind it

Musk incoming...

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The e-commerce giant’s satellite Internet product [Leo] is not yet commercially available anywhere in the world. Its service is slated to launch in beta from late 2026 to early 2027.

While Starlink has nearly 10,500 satellites in operation in low Earth orbit (LEO), Amazon Leo has only 396. Amazon is building its capabilities and expects to have more than 3,200 in orbit by 2029.

Satellite count is a proxy for coverage and capacity and is essential to the type of connectivity LEO promises: low-latency, high bandwidth, and affordable compared to other products in its class.

By 2035, Amazon is targeting more than 7,700 total satellites in orbit, which will culminate its two-phase global network rollout. It will still be dwarfed by Starlink, which could have over 12,000 satellites by then.

It meant that as long as Starlink maintains its coverage advantage, it will always have the superior service to Amazon Leo, at least in terms of network quality.
 
It's only because of these good stories they tell that we are even speaking about this.

Keep it up Elon, show these kunts how kunty they are.

If there was a law that says jump into the fire, would you jump into the fire? It's the same thing with this BEE kak.
 
wingnut771 said:
It's only because of these good stories they tell that we are even speaking about this.

Keep it up Elon, show these kunts how kunty they are.

If there was a law that says jump into the fire, would you jump into the fire? It's the same thing with this BEE kak.
Click to expand...

It's just a temporary glitch anyway, here's AI's version of what's actually happening for those who don't know yet;



Starlink Roaming: The Crackdown vs. Musk's Direct Fix
The Problem: Dish Roaming is Dying
  • 2-Month Limit: Keep your dish outside its home country for 60+ days, and SpaceX geoblocks it.
  • Insane Costs: Staying legal requires swapping to ultra-expensive Global Priority plans.
  • The Cause: Governments are forcing SpaceX to stop users from bypassing local telecom laws. [1, 2, 3]

The Fix: Direct-to-Cell (No Dish Required) [4, 5]
  • Satellite-to-Phone: Musk's ultimate goal is direct satellite-to-mobile connectivity.
  • Standard Starlink Tech: This uses regular Starlink communications satellites, not the controversial new 1-million AI satellite data network.
  • Modified Chipsets: Future smartphones will talk directly to these standard Starlink satellites.
  • Global Accounts: One account will handle home internet and global phone data, killing traditional roaming fees. [6, 7, 8]

Bottom line: Starlink is killing hardware-based roaming because the future is a seamless, global satellite network built right into your phone.


[1] https://arstechnica.com
[2] https://www.facebook.com
[3] https://uk.pcmag.com
[4] https://www.ictworks.org
[5] https://www.usmobile.com
[6] https://www.instagram.com
[7] https://www.facebook.com
[8] https://www.racunalniske-novice.com
 
Brian_G said:
It's just a temporary glitch anyway, here's AI's version of what's actually happening for those who don't know yet;



Starlink Roaming: The Crackdown vs. Musk's Direct Fix
The Problem: Dish Roaming is Dying
  • 2-Month Limit: Keep your dish outside its home country for 60+ days, and SpaceX geoblocks it.
  • Insane Costs: Staying legal requires swapping to ultra-expensive Global Priority plans.
  • The Cause: Governments are forcing SpaceX to stop users from bypassing local telecom laws. [1, 2, 3]

The Fix: Direct-to-Cell (No Dish Required) [4, 5]
  • Satellite-to-Phone: Musk's ultimate goal is direct satellite-to-mobile connectivity.
  • Standard Starlink Tech: This uses regular Starlink communications satellites, not the controversial new 1-million AI satellite data network.
  • Modified Chipsets: Future smartphones will talk directly to these standard Starlink satellites.
  • Global Accounts: One account will handle home internet and global phone data, killing traditional roaming fees. [6, 7, 8]

Bottom line: Starlink is killing hardware-based roaming because the future is a seamless, global satellite network built right into your phone.


[1] https://arstechnica.com
[2] https://www.facebook.com
[3] https://uk.pcmag.com
[4] https://www.ictworks.org
[5] https://www.usmobile.com
[6] https://www.instagram.com
[7] https://www.facebook.com
[8] https://www.racunalniske-novice.com
Click to expand...

How is that any different than a terminal? The issue is government controls the radio spectrum and if you want to operate in the airspace they control you need a licence.
 
B-1 said:
How is that any different than a terminal? The issue is government controls the radio spectrum and if you want to operate in the airspace they control you need a licence.
Click to expand...

Great question. And here's the comeback from the same source;


You are 100% correct about the spectrum and licensing. Here is how Musk is bypassing that specific hurdle:

  • The Loophole: Partnering with existing carriers. Starlink isn't trying to buy new global spectrum. Instead, they are partnering with established domestic carriers in each country (like T-Mobile in the US, Optus in Australia, or Airtel in Africa). [1]
  • Using Current Licenses: Starlink's satellites adapt to use the carrier's already-licensed terrestrial spectrum from space. [2]
  • The Difference from Terminals: Because the signal routes through a local, approved carrier, local governments still get their regulatory oversight, licensing fees, and tax cuts.
The Bottom Line: While governments can easily block unapproved Starlink hardware dishes crossing borders, they can’t easily block a citizen's standard mobile phone using a local carrier network that happens to switch to a satellite beam when cell towers fade. [3, 4]


[1] https://broadbandbreakfast.com
[2] https://www.afr.com
[3] https://journal.burningman.org
[4] https://www.facebook.com
 
Brian_G said:
Great question. And here's the comeback from the same source;


You are 100% correct about the spectrum and licensing. Here is how Musk is bypassing that specific hurdle:

  • The Loophole: Partnering with existing carriers. Starlink isn't trying to buy new global spectrum. Instead, they are partnering with established domestic carriers in each country (like T-Mobile in the US, Optus in Australia, or Airtel in Africa). [1]
  • Using Current Licenses: Starlink's satellites adapt to use the carrier's already-licensed terrestrial spectrum from space. [2]
  • The Difference from Terminals: Because the signal routes through a local, approved carrier, local governments still get their regulatory oversight, licensing fees, and tax cuts.
The Bottom Line: While governments can easily block unapproved Starlink hardware dishes crossing borders, they can’t easily block a citizen's standard mobile phone using a local carrier network that happens to switch to a satellite beam when cell towers fade. [3, 4]


[1] https://broadbandbreakfast.com
[2] https://www.afr.com
[3] https://journal.burningman.org
[4] https://www.facebook.com
Click to expand...
Ah AI k@k...

So to rephrase he isn't bypassing anything he would need to partner with a local celular provider just like he would need an ISP for starlink but is refusing to do.
 
B-1 said:
Ah AI k@k...

So to rephrase he isn't bypassing anything he would need to partner with a local celular provider just like he would need an ISP for starlink but is refusing to do.
Click to expand...
Would be interesting if another provider partnered with a local company to get their satellite internet service launched here. Oh wait...
 
Genisys said:
Would be interesting if another provider partnered with a local company to get their satellite internet service launched here. Oh wait...
Click to expand...

I'm sure he would eventually have to change his policy or lose SA as a opportunity. For now he is the only active provider though.
 
B-1 said:
So to rephrase he isn't bypassing anything he would need to partner with a local celular provider just like he would need an ISP for starlink but is refusing to do.
Click to expand...

BTW, clearly the difference there is he gets past any new tech's govt. structuring. It's already done.

As mentioned in the piece, the source is claiming that Musk is having struggles elsewhere too, so this is a broad effort of his. I've little doubt one of the CSP's / ISP's will grab the opportunity when it comes.
 
Brian_G said:
Forum expits at their best :X3:

Meanwhile, Musk moves on..
Click to expand...
You have no idea what you are talking about. Spectrum is tightly controlled and if an international company interferes with local frequency they dont control that is taken serious on an international scale.
He might try his luck for a while but he won't risk being banned across the world for not following international law.
 
B-1 said:
You have no idea what you are talking about. Spectrum is tightly controlled and if an international company interferes with local frequency they dont control that is taken serious on an international scale.
He might try his luck for a while but he won't risk being banned across the world for not following international law.
Click to expand...

What makes you think I don't know that?

I'm not going to argue this further - the info's sources are there, do you really think Musk would be going on a wild ride to nowhere?

I've not heard about this before either, but it clearly isn't just slop 'cos you guys choose to label it so. Research it first. I'll be very surprised if you don't end up with mud on your face, Musk is innovative and is just being so again.
 
What is the theoretical capacity of each Satellite in Gbps considering that from a multi-shell architectural approach and orbital inclinations that here in Souther Africa we could likely have ~8–12 satellites above the horizon at any given time , and perhaps 3–6 satellites at high enough elevation for optimal service(thinks the theoretical Gbps capacity of each satellite, say ~80-150 Gbps🤷)and purely from a congestion point of view🤔 Anyone?
 
B-1 said:
Ah AI k@k...

So to rephrase he isn't bypassing anything he would need to partner with a local celular provider just like he would need an ISP for starlink but is refusing to do.
Click to expand...
Nobody has bought a new license since Ivy lost her court case in 2008. I wonder why.
 
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Was waiting for this article or discussion.... Just because of bee k@k, starlink won't come here! And to think the anc makes a big splash of that other very slow satellite middle east provider.... 🤣 The country we live in.... SA is a box office movie...... 🤣 🤣🤦
 
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