JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Amazon’s satellite internet service, Amazon Leo, is poised to launch a new broadband service in South Africa, a move that could challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink in the African market.
The service, called evry, is set to be launched before the end of the year, with reports suggesting an early 2027 launch. Herotel, South Africa’s largest fixed internet service provider, has entered into a partnership with Amazon Leo to provide the new service. This collaboration aims to extend broadband access to underserved rural and small-town areas in the country, aligning with the government’s commitment to narrowing the digital divide.
The entry of Amazon Leo into the South African market comes after Starlink faced regulatory challenges that required at least 30% local ownership. While Starlink has been unable to meet this demand, South Africa’s regulatory adjustments now allow foreign operators to meet empowerment objectives through investment programs, opening the door for Amazon Leo to establish a customer base in Africa’s most developed economy.
The Independent. Co. Uk has criticized South Africa’s regulatory environment, which is seen as having blocked Starlink’s entry into the market.
This regulatory shift has now cleared the path for Amazon Leo to enter the market, positioning the company to potentially outpace Starlink in the South African satellite internet space.
The launch of evry, powered by Amazon Leo, is expected to reach customers that even fiber and fixed wireless cannot serve, emphasizing the service’s commitment to expanding internet access to all corners of South Africa.
As the service rolls out, it could significantly alter the competitive landscape in the country’s satellite internet industry.
The potential for substantial investment and a commitment to expanding internet access suggests that Amazon’s move into the South African market could be a game-changer for both the company and the broader African internet landscape.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Chinedu Okafor
