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NBS Stands Ready to Deliver Starlink the Moment It Lands

  • Writer: Marketing Department
    Marketing Department
  • Jul 10
  • 2 min read
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NBS is proud to announce that we have registered as an official Starlink reseller for the South African business market. While Starlink is not yet licensed here, we’re ahead of the curve—ready to import and roll out across industries including marine, mining, agriculture, logistics, and more, the moment approvals come through.

Why Starlink Isn’t Live in South Africa (Yet)

South Africa’s regulator, ICASA, currently requires foreign telecom operators to allocate 30% equity to Black South Africans under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act—something Starlink has highlighted as a significant barrier.


To address this, South Africa’s Communications Minister Solly Malatsi introduced a draft policy allowing multinational satellite providers to meet B-BBEE obligations through “equity-equivalent” investments—like skills training, supporting SMEs, and supplier contracts—instead of shareholding. That process closed for public comment in late June 2025.


But until ICASA grants Starlink a licence, local resellers—like NBS —are unable to activate terminals in-country under full business service plans.

We’re Ready—and Enthusiastic

Despite ongoing regulatory inquiries, NBS is fully positioned to support Starlink’s market entry. We’ve completed all necessary Starlink-authorised agreements and are ready to build our technical and support infrastructure to operate seamlessly once we receive approval.

The Benefits for South African Businesses & Marine Applications

The moment Starlink’s approved, NBS Group will deliver transformative connectivity across multiple sectors:

  • Remote farming & agri-tech: High-speed broadband for precision farming tools, real-time monitoring, IoT sensors, and automated irrigation in isolated rural regions.

  • Marine & offshore operations: Enhanced satellite links for vessels, crew welfare internet, navigation updates, and IoT-enabled fishing and marine safety equipment.

  • Mining & logistics: Fast, reliable connections in remote mine sites for backhaul, real-time telemetry, site monitoring, and communication—even underground hubs.

  • Tourism & hospitality: Broadband for lodges in game reserves and rural areas, unlocking booking, cloud operations, digital guest services and content streaming.

  • Education & healthcare in rural areas: Enabling telemedicine, mobile clinics, and online learning where existing infrastructure fails.

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Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites offer speeds of 50–200 Mbps and latency around 20–40 ms, far exceeding traditional satellite or fixed wireless options in underserved areas.


Staying Proactive

In the meantime, we’re proactive and optimistic:

  • Monitoring ICASA and government announcements.

  • Preparing marketing strategies tailored for the South African business.

  • Securing pilot partnerships with commercial vessels, farms, and remote enterprises to be first in line once we get the green light.

NBS: Your Launchpad to Spatial Connectivity

When Starlink is officially licensed in South Africa, NBS will be your trusted partner for rapid deployment and reliable service. Our clients will enjoy immediate access to next-generation broadband, enabling real-time communications, data analytics, IoT, automation, and powerful competitive advantages.

Stay tuned—NBS is poised and ready. When South Africa’s skies open for Starlink, we’ll help you launch into seamless connectivity.

If you're interested in learning more, discussing pilots, or staying informed on developments, please get in touch. NBS is here to connect you to the future of South African business and marine connectivity.


Let’s get connected—together.



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