Starlink Speeds Surge in South Africa After Major Network Upgrades

Starlink’s satellite internet service is showing strong performance gains in South Africa, as recent upgrades to its network infrastructure have dramatically improved download speeds, upload speeds, and latency.

Despite not being officially available in South Africa, Starlink’s roaming plans have been a lifeline for many residents—especially in rural areas—who have turned to the SpaceX-backed service for faster and more stable internet.

Over the past two and a half years, Starlink’s performance in South Africa has had its ups and downs. Early speed tests in January 2023 painted a slow picture, with average download speeds of just 16.5Mbps and latency as high as 366ms. But by May 2025, that narrative had changed completely.

A Rocky Start and Growing Pains

While Starlink initially gained traction through a limited roaming feature, its network was under pressure due to growing demand from users in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. By late 2024, the performance had dropped significantly, with speeds slowing to the mid-20Mbps range and latency rising again. Starlink even had to halt new sign-ups in some African cities, including Harare and Lusaka, due to overwhelming demand.

Network Boosts and New Ground Stations

The tide began to turn in early 2025. A series of upgrades—including the activation of new ground stations in Kenya and Mozambique and new points-of-presence at Johannesburg’s Internet Exchanges—transformed Starlink’s capabilities in the region.

These gains are largely thanks to local ground infrastructure, which reduces the need for data to travel long distances between satellites and far-off ground stations.

Why It Matters

Starlink’s improved service is a big deal for South Africans in underserved regions where traditional broadband options are limited or non-existent. Its combination of relatively affordable pricing, wide coverage, and increasingly solid performance makes it a compelling choice for many.

While regulatory issues—particularly around licensing and compliance with local empowerment laws—continue to delay its official launch, South Africans are clearly eager for the kind of high-speed internet Starlink now offers.

As 2025 continues, all eyes are on whether South Africa’s government will find a way to welcome Starlink officially, while still holding firm to its transformation and equity principles.

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{Source: My Broad Band}

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