Amazon to Launch Satellite Internet in South Africa in 2027 via Herotel Partnership

Amazon's low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet venture, Amazon Leo, will enter the South African market through a new partnership with local internet service provider Herotel. The collaboration aims to deliver high-speed broadband to underserved and rural communities, with a commercial service launch expected in 2027.

Partnership to Bridge Connectivity Gap

Under the agreement announced Wednesday, Herotel will use Amazon's satellite technology to launch a new residential broadband service called "evry." The initiative is designed to address the significant connectivity gap in South Africa, where deploying traditional fibre and wireless networks to farms, small towns, and remote areas is often not economically viable. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"This collaboration is about breaking down barriers and unlocking opportunity for millions of people who don’t yet have reliable access for work, education, or the services they depend on," said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, in a statement.

Herotel, described as South Africa’s largest fixed internet service provider, will leverage its existing infrastructure to support the rollout. The company stated its network of 120 offices nationwide, serving over 350,000 customers, will provide the necessary installation, customer service, and field operations for the new satellite service from its launch.

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Competitive Landscape

The move positions Amazon in the growing race among satellite internet providers to expand across Africa. The partnership with an established local entity like Herotel could provide a strategic advantage over competitors.

Notably, SpaceX’s Starlink is also seeking to operate in South Africa but is awaiting potential changes to licensing regulations. Current rules require local ownership and empowerment stakes, which foreign satellite operators are seeking to meet through alternative means, according to the report from Reuters. Amazon's deal with Herotel, which is owned by Maziv, appears to navigate these local partnership requirements directly.