{
  "id": 12866348,
  "title": "Starlink rival maps out SA strategy beyond satellite broadband",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/starlink-rival-maps-out-sa-strategy-beyond-satellite-broadband",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-08T11:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ITWeb",
    "slug": "itweb",
    "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/starlink-rival-maps-out-sa-strategy-beyond-satellite-broadband/rW1xL75nD9bMRk6m"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amazon Leo plans to launch its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, direct-to-device (D2D), in South Africa around 2028. This announcement was made by Mark Anderson, head of consumer operations at Amazon Leo EMEA, during the Conext 2026 event. The D2D service aims to deliver high-speed internet to areas without fiber or fixed wireless infrastructure. Anderson stated that the company has obtained the necessary regulatory licenses and is collaborating with mobile operators to introduce the service. The D2D offering will complement Amazon Leo's fixed broadband business, which is set to launch in South Africa soon. Anderson also mentioned that the company has signed a global deal with Globalstar, providing access to critical spectrum and technology to accelerate their plans for D2D. While D2D satellite connectivity has faced controversy due to the overlap of traditional telecommunication boundaries, Anderson emphasized that the service would complement existing terrestrial networks, filling the gaps where traditional networks do not reach. Herotel, South Africa's largest fiber ISP, has partnered with Amazon Leo to distribute the satellite broadband service in the country from 2027. This partnership aims to extend connectivity to areas beyond the reach of fiber and fixed wireless infrastructure. Both Herotel and Amazon Leo see the collaboration as a way to connect more customers and drive economic growth.",
  "summary": "Amazon Leo plans direct-to-device services in South Africa, as an additional service to its satellite broadband partnership with local distributor Herotel.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}