South Sudan unveils approved Starlink tariffs

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

Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor

July 9, 2024

2 Min Read
South Sudan's NCA and Starlink representatives.
South Sudan's NCA and Starlink representatives.(Source: South Sudan's NCA)

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.

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"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.

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 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.

South Sudan Flag.

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

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About the Author

Matshepo Sehloho

Associate Editor, Connecting Africa

Matshepo Sehloho joined Connecting Africa as Associate Editor in May 2022. The South Africa-based journalist has over 10 years' experience and previously worked as a digital content producer for talk radio 702 and started her career as a community journalist for Caxton.

She has been reporting on breaking news for most of her career, however, she has always had a love for tech news.

With an Honors degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University, she has aspirations to study further.

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