ICASA Spells Out Satellite Licensing Rules as Starlink’s South Africa Entry Remains on Hold

South Africa’s Independent Communications Authority (ICASA ) has published a formal notice clarifying the licensing requirements for entities seeking to provide satellite constellation services in the country, following a wave of enquiries from prospective operators.

The notice , published in the Government Gazette on 29 June 2026, confirms that any entity wishing to operate satellite services within South Africa must hold three categories of licences: an Individual Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS) licence, an Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (I-ECNS) licence, and one or more Radio Frequency Spectrum (RFS) licences.

On spectrum, the regulator is unambiguous. Section 31(1) of the Electronic Communications Act stipulates that “no person may transmit any signal by radio or use radio apparatus to receive any signal by radio except under and in accordance with a radio frequency spectrum licence granted by the Authority.” ICASA’s notice reaffirms this, confirming that any entity transmitting or receiving radio signals must hold an RFS licence.

Where multiple operators intend to use the same satellite constellation and frequency band, the notice requires them to apply for spectrum sharing on a coordinated basis. Regulation 18(3) of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations provides that “two or more persons may apply to the Authority for radio frequency spectrum licences for spectrum assignments on a shared basis,” and a sharing agreement must be submitted to ICASA for approval.

The regulator also notes that the I-ECNS licensing process is currently subject to a policy inquiry initiated by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in August 2025. While that inquiry is ongoing, entities unable to obtain new licences through a standard application process may pursue commercial negotiations with existing licensees for a licence transfer, though ICASA is not party to such arrangements.

On Gateway Earth Stations, the notice confirms that operating one within South Africa requires an I-ECNS licence and the relevant RFS licences. Where a GES is located outside the country, “the applicant should demonstrate to the Authority how lawful interception will be done.”

The clarification comes against the backdrop of growing global interest in the South African satellite market, most notably from SpaceX’s Starlink. ICASA confirmed as recently as June 2026 that it has received no formal licence application from SpaceX, with the impasse centring on South Africa’s B-BBEE legislation, which requires a minimum 30% stake held by historically disadvantaged South Africans. A 2027 launch remains the likely timeline for the service, which has already expanded to 27 African countries.

The notice was signed by ICASA Chairperson Mothibi G Ramusi and dated 24 June 2026.