Botswana rejects Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet application

Starlink, Elon Musk’s ambitious low-orbit satellite service, has hit a roadblock in its quest to extend its reach to every corner of the globe. The Botswana Communication Authority recently rejected Starlink’s application to operate in the African nation, casting uncertainty over its planned launch in Q4 2024.

Starlink submitted its application in May 2023, but the regulator found that the company failed to provide all the necessary information, though the specifics of the missing details remain unclear.

A source within Botswana’s Communication Authority stated, “There were issues regarding missing requirements with the application, which were identified and pointed out. They are yet to respond to the issues.” This lack of transparency raises questions about the completeness of Starlink’s initial submission and the nature of the undisclosed information.

To secure operation rights in Botswana, applicants, including Starlink, are required to pay a P5,600 application fee, an annual license fee potentially reaching up to P386,000 (~$28,500), and contribute 3% of their annual operating revenue.

Starlink is not unfamiliar with regulatory challenges in Southern Africa. The South African government recently rejected its application due to non-compliance with a mandatory requirement stipulating 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged individuals. This setback indicates the importance of meeting local ownership criteria in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the region.

In Zimbabwe, legislators based their rejection of Starlink’s application on an EU investigation into X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk. Despite these setbacks, Starlink has successfully obtained licenses in Zambia, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi, demonstrating a varied reception across different Southern African countries.

These regulatory challenges highlight the delicate balance that global tech giants must strike when expanding into diverse markets. Local governments are increasingly asserting their authority to ensure compliance with not only technical specifications but also socio-economic and political considerations.

The rejection of Starlink’s application in Botswana raises questions about the company’s strategy for navigating the regulatory landscapes of African nations. As technology continues to evolve and play a pivotal role in global connectivity, the success of satellite services like Starlink hinges on their ability to adapt to and collaborate with diverse regulatory environments.

The impact of this rejection on Starlink’s launch timeline remains uncertain, and the company is expected to address the identified issues to move forward. As the race for global satellite coverage intensifies, the hurdles faced by Starlink underscore the complexities of operating in the ever-evolving and regionally distinct telecommunications landscape.