Starlink launches global roaming - but no good news for South Africans

[KikzAzz]

Who needs the service in RSA?, there is 98% 3/4/5G coverage, let alone fibre network

With 3/4/5G not being available in a lot of locations during loadshedding. And if it stays on stage 6 or get to stage 8, there will be issues with fibre as well in the older exchanges.

So, we don't need the service in a functioning RSA.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Who needs the service in RSA?, there is 98% 3/4/5G coverage, let alone fibre network

You answered the question
My caravan at the dam falls in that dead spot
No reception
No signal
Nothing

Also the entire Tankwa Karoo has no or little cell reception
Let alone fiber

 

[Conack]

Areas with Vrotvoet fibre desperately needs more internet options.
LTE reception is up and down often in many areas of the gardenroute.

Signed up for Starlink and can't wait to get rid of fibre.

 

[itareanlnotani]

LOL Elon really doesn't like us at all

ICASA you mean

 

[itareanlnotani]

Who needs the service in RSA?, there is 98% 3/4/5G coverage, let alone fibre network

Cape Town - no fibre options, 4g congested to ****. No 5g.
Wifi p2p only option currently.

I'd be happy with Starlink - signed up and paid deposit a few years. back too, but tired of waiting.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

ICASA you mean

Elon is rich
He can buy ICASA
Change some stuff
And then sell it again

Like with Twitter

 

[BetaProject]

Who needs the service in RSA?, there is 98% 3/4/5G coverage, let alone fibre network

There might be 98% coverage, but I'd bet a good chunk of that 98% has sub-par, unstable access. Starlink is meant to be used in areas where internet access is limited or unavailable. It is not meant to replace fibre in cities.

 

[wingnut771]

Who needs the service in RSA?, there is 98% 3/4/5G coverage, let alone fibre network

You can’t steal the batteries with starlink and it works everywhere, not just in town.

 

[noxibox]

also, remember how long Skype was illegal in SA because Telkom outlawed it.

I don't think anyone even remembers the time Telkom was the majority political party in South Africa, so they're unlikely to remember any laws they passed.

same with whatsapp calling, how the mobile operators fought tooth and nail to outlaw it.

were a nation that hates competition and better ideas.

All capitalists hate competition and better ideas if it means less money going to their own pockets.

 

[noxibox]

Has Starlink solved their speed and reliability problems?

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

I don't think anyone even remembers the time Telkom was the majority political party in South Africa, so they're unlikely to remember any laws they passed.

I think we were the only country in the world with weird laws like Skype being Illegal locally, even though it was very easily doable,
its almost like the SABC outlawing Netflix and Disney+ because of greed.

 

[Madhawk]

LOL Elon really doesn't like us at all

He left this shithole for a reason. Good for him….

 

[RonSwanson]

Lekker Transformation! AA and BEE 4 eva!

 

[K3NS31]

I wouldn't be surprised if it still works unofficially. If you've got the roaming option there's no real way to block it, as there are no ground stations required.
Would need someone to test though...

 

[Conack]

I wouldn't be surprised if it still works unofficially. If you've got the roaming option there's no real way to block it, as there are no ground stations required.
Would need someone to test though...

This is what I'm hoping as well.
Not sure how to go about purchasing the base station though.

 

[eagle2k]

I work for a rural ISP in the northern cape area and can confirm that we already have about 200 pre orders.... Directly with starlink of course. We just help with the whole preorder process

Maybe Mybroadband can do an article on what the effects would be for companies such as MTN and Vodacom and what they think about Starlink.

Especially we see that Vodacom is spending a lot of money on new towers and infrastructure in the northern cape for solar plants etc. But as soon as 2024 maybe, everyone will he switching to Starlink.

Because of battery theft on towers and of course speed of LTE in rural areas

I think MTN and Vodacom even Telkom is sh#t scared of Starlink and is going to cost them millions especially in South Africa due to loadshedding

 

[eagle2k]

This is what I'm hoping as well.
Not sure how to go about purchasing the base station though.

I already have a station. Not working and can't sign up for roaming package for some reason

 

[Conack]

I already have a station. Not working and can't sign up for roaming package for some reason

Thanks a lot, good to know..

 

[K3NS31]

I already have a station. Not working and can't sign up for roaming package for some reason

Maybe you can only sign up from outside SA. i.e. via a VPN. Keen to hear if you get it working.

 

[eagle2k]

Thanks a lot, good to know..

This was a joke. See results below
The future is coming. If Icasa likes it or not

Switched on my portability mode and see the results
Lowest in 24 hours and highest tests in 24 hours

This is for BETA / Testing purposes only