Starlink continues to attract users in South Africa despite the satellite internet service lacking official approval to operate in the country, with fresh data showing a significant rise in local usage.
Data from MyBroadband’s Speed Test platform showed that Starlink tests in South Africa climbed sharply in 2026, indicating that users are still finding ways to access the SpaceX-owned service despite regulatory and roaming restrictions.
Starlink has never officially launched in South Africa, but its roaming service became available to users in the country in early 2023.
The roaming option allowed customers with Starlink equipment registered in countries where the service was authorised to use their connections in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where reliable broadband remains limited.
However, roaming access did not amount to regulatory approval for Starlink to provide a permanent service in South Africa.
For years, users relied on imported Starlink equipment and regional roaming plans to get online. As the company expanded into neighbouring African countries, obtaining Starlink kits became easier and less expensive for South African users.
The situation changed in 2024 when Starlink began enforcing a 60-day continuous-use limit on roaming connections. Customers who exceeded the period were required to return their equipment to the country where it was registered.
Some users initially found ways around the restriction by switching off their equipment, pausing subscriptions or physically taking their kits across borders before returning to South Africa.
Starlink later tightened its enforcement and reduced the continuous-use period for South African users to 30 days.
The restrictions prompted many customers to abandon the service because maintaining a permanent connection became more expensive and complicated, sometimes requiring additional equipment.
Ironically, the crackdown came as Starlink’s performance in South Africa was improving.
The improvement was attributed to the expansion of Starlink’s satellite fleet, the launch of a ground station in Mozambique and the company’s connection to major internet exchange points in South Africa, including NAPAfrica and the Johannesburg Internet Exchange Point.
Despite the restrictions, Starlink usage has shown signs of a resurgence.
See also: India Hits Back at Elon Musk Over Starlink Delay, Denies Blocking Service
MyBroadband recorded 2,232 Starlink speed tests in August 2026, the highest monthly figure recorded this year. Although the number fell to 962 in September, it remained significantly higher than the 341 tests recorded in September 2025.
The renewed activity is partly linked to Starlink’s ability to allow users to pause subscriptions and resume them after several weeks.
The feature is designed largely for travellers and people who use Starlink occasionally, but it has also made the service attractive to South Africans who spend weekends or holidays at remote farms and rural properties.
Performance data also shows that Starlink remains capable of delivering relatively strong speeds in South Africa.
Average download speeds recorded in 2026 ranged between 34Mbps and 66Mbps, while average upload speeds ranged from 6Mbps to 14Mbps.
Latency, which measures the delay in data transmission, also improved considerably, falling from about 124 milliseconds at the beginning of the year to around 90 milliseconds in September.
The figures suggest that, despite Starlink’s lack of official local approval and the company’s efforts to restrict long-term roaming, demand for its satellite internet service has not disappeared.
For South Africans in poorly connected areas, the combination of improved network performance and the ability to intermittently reactivate roaming appears to be keeping Starlink relevant while the question of its official entry into the market remains unresolved.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
