Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet provider, has seemingly discontinued its popular Roam service throughout the African continent. Recen...
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet provider, has seemingly discontinued its popular Roam service throughout the African continent. Recent checks on the official Starlink website reveal that users in African countries can no longer purchase or activate the Roam service, a move that is already stirring confusion and concern among current and prospective customers.
The Roam plan allowed users to access Starlink internet outside their registered service address, a feature that was particularly useful in Africa where many countries lack official Starlink approval. This plan enabled users to bypass regional restrictions by ordering Starlink in approved countries and using the service elsewhere in Africa.
Social media buzz erupted as users reported difficulties switching to Roam plans or maintaining existing Roam subscriptions, with some noting forced switches to residential plans that only work at a fixed service address.
Although no official statement has been released by Starlink regarding this abrupt change, industry analysts speculate the move aims to curb widespread workarounds to regional licensing and regulatory challenges faced by Starlink across Africa. Currently, only a handful of African countries have officially approved Starlink services, with many others remaining unlicensed.
For travelers, Starlink’s international Roam plan still permits usage up to two months per trip in approved countries, but service in unapproved regions may be interrupted or unavailable. Residents in African countries no longer have the option to subscribe to or activate Roam services locally, limiting Starlink’s accessibility on the continent.
This significant development underscores ongoing regulatory hurdles Starlink faces in Africa as it seeks to expand its satellite broadband footprint. Users impacted by this change are advised to monitor official Starlink communications for updates and explore alternative internet solutions in the interim.
We will continue to track this evolving story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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