South Sudan unveils approved Starlink tariffs

South Sudan's National Communications Authority (NCA) has released approved tariffs for SpaceX's satellite Internet service, Starlink.

In a post on X, the NCA said it had collaborated with Starlink to release affordable connectivity in South Sudan as Elon Musk's high-speed, low-latency Internet service is preparing to launch in the country.

"Through negotiations, favorable terms have been agreed upon encompassing accessible capacity and terminal units for utilizing Starlink services within the nation," the NCA said.

"As per the stipulation of the provisional license granted by NCA to Starlink, customers in South Sudan will be required to register and make payments in South Sudanese pounds equivalent to the United States dollar prices agreed with Starlink," it added.

South Sudan's Starlink pricing

According to the NCA, Starlink pricing will be divided into four plans, the cheapest at US$38.19 monthly and the most expensive at US$5,005.40 monthly.

The plans will be categorized as Standard, Priority, Mobile and Mobile Priority, and the equipment will retail at US$296.67 for Standard Kit and US$2,502.70 for Flat High-Performance Kit.

However, the NCA noted that Elon Musk's broadband service company tariffs exclude applicable taxes and relevant statutory fees.

"The NCA cautions all individuals or entities operating in South Sudan against importing Starlink or any other telecommunication equipment through unauthorized distributors," the regulator warned.

Starlink African pursuits

Starlink has been making progress with its expansion plans on the African continent and just last week, the company launched service in Madagascar.

Furthermore, the company is scheduled to make more inroads, as it recently was granted operating licenses in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The NCA cautioned all individuals or entities operating in South Sudan against importing Starlink or any other telecommunication equipment through unauthorized distributors. (Source: Image by www.slon.pics on Freepik)

Moreover, its services went live in the West African country of Sierra Leone.

Starlink operates and is licensed in several African countries, including Benin, Nigeria, Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia.

However, it hasn't been all plain sailing for the Elon Musk-owned company: In late April, Cameroonian authorities reportedly banned the import of Starlink satellite Internet kits into the central African country and started seizing the equipment at the border.

Although a few southern African countries are welcoming Starlink, its future in South Africa is unclear.

In February, it cut off hundreds of South African users over alleged trademark and copyright violations.

In November 2023, The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) cautioned companies against importing and selling Starlink satellite Internet terminals in South Africa, calling the practice illegal and warning that fines could be imposed.

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa