Would you get Starlink if it received regulatory approval in South Africa?

Would you get Starlink if it received regulatory approval in South Africa?

  • Yes

    Votes: 85 36.6%

  • No

    Votes: 138 59.5%

  • I already have Starlink

    Votes: 9 3.9%
  • Total voters
    232
If it reduced my ping overseas by a reasonable amount, yes.
 
I would 100% sign up.

If the grid collapses, my solar and batteries can keep me powered and functioning. The only missing piece is internet.
 
i work with a few projects where schools need access to internet in very rural areas. this would be such a game changer for them.
 
Yes most definitely. My internet access for what I use it for is acceptable here on the farm. I am used to no better. Thunderstorms, snow, frost and other aspects have an effect on connectivity.

Image 2024-06-06 at 11.39.jpeg
 
Unlikely. Under current conditions I wouldn’t be able to justify the cost.

Plus, I don’t like the owner.

However, I am trying to convince my dad to sign up here in the US as his internet is shockingly bad.
 
bwana said:
Unlikely. Under current conditions I wouldn’t be able to justify the cost.

Plus, I don’t like the owner.
Click to expand...
What is the current cost ballpark? I had a figure of around R1000pm in my mind somehow.
 
Velskoen said:
What is the current cost ballpark? I had a figure of around R1000pm in my mind somehow.
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In the US it’s $120 per month. So I’d guess r2200?

EDIT: Zimbabwe's Starlink pricing looks more reasonable:

Starlink Kit, Data Prices and Internet Speeds in Zimbabwe​

Zimbabweans interested in Starlink will need to fork out US$650 for the initial kit. The monthly subscription plans are as follows:
  • US$38 for 50Mbps
  • US$45 for 100Mbps
  • US$85 for 1000Mbps
Click to expand...
iharare.com

Wicknell Chivayo's Company Unveils Starlink Kit and Data Prices in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe now has a glimpse of the data, kit prices and internet speeds they can expect once Starlink begins operations.
iharare.com iharare.com
 
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For $120 US or R2267.94 ZAR also known as monopoly money, I can get 1000Mbps down and 500Mbps up for R1249.00 Then I have R1k left to buy important stuff.

I am not sure if the R1869.00 is the right price then the kit goes for between R12k or R14k. But I would be happy with 250MbpsUp/down for R850 again from MetroFibre and save R12k on the kit if that is still the right price.
 
From an article by Hanno in February;

mybroadband.co.za

Starlink prices and speeds put South Africa’s legal satellite services to shame

It’s easy to see why thousands of South Africans — including many in remote areas — are using Starlink despite the service being deemed illegal by the country’s communications regulator.
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za


Starlink vs GEO satellite services
StarlinkEutelsat/Hughes
Download speeds100–200Mbps512kbps–50Mbps
Upload speedsAround 20Mbps512kbps–5Mbps
Latency100–300ms700ms+
Upfront kit costR10,000–R14,999R999–R2,500
Monthly priceR700–R1,299R700–R2,629
Fair usage policyNoYes, significant speed throttling
Use away from homeYesNo
Plan lengthMonth-to-monthLong-term contract
Legal standingDeemed illegal by IcasaFully licenced
 
Brian_G said:
From an article by Heno from February;

mybroadband.co.za

Starlink prices and speeds put South Africa’s legal satellite services to shame

It’s easy to see why thousands of South Africans — including many in remote areas — are using Starlink despite the service being deemed illegal by the country’s communications regulator.
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za


Starlink vs GEO satellite services
StarlinkEutelsat/Hughes
Download speeds100–200Mbps512kbps–50Mbps
Upload speedsAround 20Mbps512kbps–5Mbps
Latency100–300ms700ms+
Upfront kit costR10,000–R14,999R999–R2,500
Monthly priceR700–R1,299R700–R2,629
Fair usage policyNoYes, significant speed throttling
Use away from homeYesNo
Plan lengthMonth-to-monthLong-term contract
Legal standingDeemed illegal by IcasaFully licenced
Click to expand...
I guess if you find yourself living in an area without internet it is a good deal but if you have access to fibre any offering is better. I mean I am on the cheapest and I am getting 20Mbps up/down. Sure it is not 200Mbps I am not paying R700 to R1.3k for it. Also if it is illegal they can just take your kit that cost you R10k anyway. What is the point in that? I like the month to month no ISP should be allowed to force long-term contracts it is not reasonable.
 
Jackal46 said:
I guess if you find yourself living in an area without internet it is a good deal but if you have access to fibre any offering is better. I mean I am on the cheapest and I am getting 20Mbps up/down. Sure it is not 200Mbps I am not paying R700 to R1.3k for it. Also if it is illegal they can just take your kit that cost you R10k anyway. What is the point in that? I like the month to month no ISP should be allowed to force long-term contracts it is not reasonable.
Click to expand...
I've got similar - 20Mbps up&down with MTN Home Pro LTE, just R429 p/m month to month. And modem router is free-to-use. Just the soft cap (300GB) recently became a bitch @ 1Mbps, but we wouldn't get there.
What's the cost of yours?
 
zolly said:
If it reduced my ping overseas by a reasonable amount, yes.
Click to expand...
This would be the only reason to even consider it

If it was as stable as my 500mbps fiber, and gave me 60ms pings to london / US, I would be keen on it
 
The number of people that think Starlink will work with a lot of subscriptions in densely populated cities is too d@mn high.

Even Elon said it. Maybe 1% can drop their fibre for starlink. Starlink does about 20Gbps per 400 Sq km today. Yes it will get higher. And maybe even order of magnitudes higher. But even then it won't be optimal for densely populated areas.
 
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