Amazon to Launch Leo Internet in South Africa by 2027 as Starlink Stays Out
Updated
Updated · WBAL Radio · Jul 29
Amazon to Launch Leo Internet in South Africa by 2027 as Starlink Stays Out
3 articles · Updated · WBAL Radio · Jul 29
Summary
Amazon said it will bring its Leo satellite internet service to South Africa in 2027 through a partnership with local provider Herotel, marking its first satellite internet agreement in Africa.
South Africa backed the deal as Elon Musk's Starlink remains absent from the country, with Musk refusing rules that require foreign telecom operators to give minority local stakes to Black or other non-white owners.
Amazon has more than 390 low-orbit satellites in operation after starting launches last year, while Starlink has over 10,000 satellites and already serves around two dozen other African countries.
Africa's 1.5 billion people and large rural population make it a major target for satellite broadband, and Amazon said the South African launch will start a wider continental rollout with Vanu Inc.