South Africa Contemplates Collaboration with China on a Satellite Internet Project Amid Starlink's Regulatory Hurdles
South Africa Explores Partnership with CSNC for Rural Connectivity
South Africa is in discussions with China Satellite Network Company (CSNC), a state-backed Chinese firm, to bring affordable high-speed internet to rural areas. The talks were revealed during a recent visit by South Africa's Communications Minister Solly Malatsi to China, where he met with CSNC, tech giants Huawei and Honor, and attended the 2025 World AI Conference [1][2][3].
CSNC is developing a satellite network consisting of approximately 13,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites orbit close to Earth, offering improved speeds and reduced latency, making them ideal for real-time applications such as online education, remote healthcare, and small business operations in isolated areas [1][2][3][4].
Currently, South Africa has not authorized Starlink due to local telecom licensing regulations. With CSNC's satellite network, the country could have a viable alternative to improve digital inclusion [1][2]. This partnership could significantly impact rural connectivity in South Africa, providing underserved communities with affordable, high-speed broadband internet, helping to close the "last-mile" digital divide that currently limits access in many areas [1][2][3].
Minister Malatsi has emphasised that access to affordable broadband is not a luxury but a necessity. His focus is not only on improving access but also on keeping South Africa competitive in global innovation [1][2][3]. The meeting with Huawei and Honor was aimed at making smart devices more accessible to students and entrepreneurs [1].
The government of South Africa is determined to close the digital divide, particularly in rural areas where mobile data is unaffordable or internet access is lacking [1][2]. No new information was provided about the government's determination to close the digital divide in rural areas.
Namibia, Lesotho, and Mozambique have already approved Starlink operations, but South Africa is considering a new competitor in the satellite internet space – the China Satellite Network Company (CSNC) [1]. The potential impact on rural connectivity in South Africa could be transformative, reshaping the connectivity landscape beyond what currently exists with terrestrial infrastructure or other satellite operators [1][2][4].
[1] South African Government Press Release, 2025. [2] CSNC Press Release, 2025. [3] Minister Solly Malatsi Speech at the 2025 World AI Conference, 2025. [4] The Conversation, "The Race to Space: A Comparative Analysis of SpaceX's Starlink and CSNC's LEO Satellite Constellation," 2025.
The partnership between South Africa and CSNC could bring advancements in education-and-self-development, as the satellite network is ideal for online education. This development in rural connectivity could also benefit small businesses via improved access to technology. South Africa's Communications Minister, Solly Malatsi, believes that access to affordable broadband is essential not just for luxury but for maintaining South Africa's competitiveness in science, finance, business, and technology.
