South Africa's communications regulator Icasa has advised prospective satellite operators like Starlink to acquire existing network licences rather than apply for new ones, as the regulatory framework cannot issue new I-ECNS licences until a ministerial policy direction and formal invitation process are completed. A former Vodacom executive argues this regulatory gridlock mirrors how Telkom failed to adapt to mobile disruption — and warns that South African mobile operators now face the same existential risk from LEO satellite networks. With 3GPP standards integrating satellites into 5G/6G, SpaceX amassing $17B in spectrum, and neighbouring African countries already licensing Starlink, the author contends the structural shift to non-terrestrial networks is inevitable. The real question is how long South Africa will delay its own market entry while a grey market persists and competitors move ahead.
Nguồn: https://techcentral.co.za/south-africas-broadband-future-is-being-decided-in-orbit-not-in-pretoria/283150. 8sync News chỉ tóm tắt và dẫn link; bản quyền nội dung thuộc tác giả và nguồn gốc.