Starlink blasts off in Lesotho
Launches amid fanfare meeting lingering licence doubts
STAFF REPORTER
MASERU – Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, officially launched in Maseru on Monday, marking its entry after months of reported opposition from local service providers and skepticism among citizens.
Amid the pump and fan fair at the launch, conspicuous were ministers of the government who included education minister, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, who is the acting prime minister. Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane and his deputy, Justice Nthomeng Majara, who were on official duty abroad.
Starlink’s arrival follows six months of widespread public distrust. Many Basotho expressed concerns that the service could enable foreign surveillance, fearing it would “snoop on the nation.”
Phelane Phomane, CEO of T-Connect Lesotho – the local company granted exclusive reseller rights by Starlink – directly addressed these fears at the launch.
He sought to shift focus towards the potential benefits, announcing ambitious plans and T-Connect’s pledge to create 60 000 jobs – 10 000 direct – through Starlink-linked services, targeting Lesotho’s high unemployment.
Phomane also unveiled intentions to develop AI-powered data centres using Starlink across Lesotho, South Africa, and Botswana, boldly claiming the Lesotho facility “will be the most unique data centre in the world.”
Operating under a 10-year licence granted in late 2024, Starlink faced significant opposition partly fuelled by speculation.
Critics alleged the government fast-tracked the licence to appease the United States after President Donald Trump imposed steep 50 percent tariffs on US-Lesotho trade. Despite government efforts, these tariffs remain in place.
Phomane detailed Starlink’s disruptive pricing model, access will be sold by time at M10 per session rather than data volume (megabytes), promising significantly cheaper rates than existing providers.
He emphasized uncapped data during the access period and announced plans for internet hotspots in all 10 districts, accessible via code.
T-Connect, a consortium of local companies chaired by Nolo Letele, former MultiChoice Chairman and Group CEO, is spearheading the rollout.
Letele confidently stated at the launch that “we believe we will be able to bring coverage to pretty much anywhere in Lesotho where the sun shines.”
Acting Minister of Communications, Neo Matjato Moteane, welcomed Starlink, highlighting its potential to overcome challenges posed by Lesotho’s difficult terrain and inefficient digital infrastructure.
He noted the low cost would be “a positive contribution.”
Despite the launch fanfare, reactions among local internet users and businesses are divided.
A director of a local company, requesting anonymity, questioned the licensing process, suggesting it could be reversed, and remained undecided about switching services.
Local internet shops expressed surprise at the new competitor.
Criticism persists from opposition groups and activists. They lambast Starlink for being a wholly foreign entity without a physical address in Lesotho – a requirement they claim operators like Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom Lesotho must meet.
Activist Kananelo Boloetse specifically challenged why Starlink received a licence seemingly exempt from this stipulation.
The launch signifies Starlink’s arrival, but the debate over its licensing, foreign ownership, economic impact, and the validity of its grand promises is far from settled.
“Regulatory fairness and predictability are the bedrock of trust in public institutions. If we are to allow varying models of service provision, that flexibility must be explained and justified in clear terms,” Boloetse opined.
It was unclear at the time of going to print what concerns if any Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telcom Lesotho might have over Starlink’s arrival in the kingdom.
