JOHANNESBURG – While Starlink remains stalled by regulatory barriers, Amazon’s LEO satellite network has partnered with SA’s largest ISP to deliver locally supported broadband service evry, scheduled for commercial launch in 2027.
In a decisive power struggle over the future of South Africa's connectivity, Amazon's satellite internet venture (formerly Project Kuiper) has bypassed a regulatory logjam to partner with the country's largest ISP, taking a direct shot at a rival that remains under the radar in the market.
Elon Musk's Starlink has successfully expanded into neighboring African countries, but continues to face regulatory deadlock from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) after failing to secure the necessary operating licenses.
Amazon Leo is taking advantage of this vacuum by securing first-mover advantages through strategic, regional distribution agreements with Herotel and its parent company, Maziv.
The deal, announced today, aims to connect the unconnected by 2027 through a new consumer service called evry, with built-in battlefield benefits.
Nationwide expansion leveraging local strengths
Herotel, a Maziv company and South Africa's largest fixed internet service provider, will act as the authorized distributor of Amazon Leo for residential customers.
The partnership targets millions of South Africans living on farms, small towns, townships and rural areas where distance, difficult terrain and low population density have historically made fiber optic and fixed wireless infrastructure economically unviable.
Unlike pure satellite providers that operate remotely, Herotel offers an immediate and tangible advantage.
With more than 350,000 active customers, locations across more than 550 towns, and 120 regional offices nationwide, ISP can provide local installations, field operations, and customer support from day one.
“Every represents the next chapter of what Herotel has been building for over a decade,” said Van Zyl Botha, CEO of Herotel.
“We have always believed that South Africans outside major metropolitan areas have the right to reliable and affordable internet, whether they live on farms, small towns, townships or rural areas.
“EVRY powered by Amazon Leo allows us to reach customers that fiber optic and fixed wireless cannot reach.”
Technology that supports your ambitions
The Amazon Leo Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operates approximately 590 kilometers above Earth. This is a significant reduction compared to traditional geostationary satellites parked at distances of more than 35,000 kilometers.
This proximity significantly reduces latency, making bandwidth-intensive applications such as video calling, 4K streaming, remote work, online learning, and smart farming truly seamless.
The constellation is interconnected via high-speed optical mesh links, ensuring reliable performance without heavy reliance on terrestrial backhaul.
Customers connect through compact, user-friendly antennas, including Amazon Leo Pro and Nano models. These antennas are available directly from each product.
Why this matters now and the $16.9 billion question
This announcement isn't just about internet access. It's about economic liberation.
According to a report by the Access Partnership, non-geostationary satellite systems could bring economic benefits of up to $16.9 billion annually to southern Africa, where nearly a quarter of the population remains completely outside network coverage.
While Starlink has a head start in global brand recognition, the company's absence from South Africa's Regulated Registry provides Amazon Leo and Herotel with a significant opportunity to build trust, infrastructure and market share.
Additionally, Amazon's commitment to the region extends beyond this agreement.
Mobile network equipment provider Vanu, Inc. is also working with Amazon Leo to bring cellular connectivity to rural areas across the continent, starting here in South Africa.
“Amazon Leo and Herotel share the same mission of empowering all South Africans through access to high-speed internet,” said David Zapolski, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer.
“Herotel has spent years building connectivity across rural, small business, and suburban communities in South Africa, and with Amazon Leo, we can now connect even more people.
“This collaboration aims to break down barriers and create opportunities for millions of people who don’t already have reliable access to jobs, education or the services they rely on.”
Local support for national challenges
Each service is designed to be as practical as it is powerful. Herotel's existing national sales base means customers no longer have to go through installation and troubleshooting alone.
“We've spent years listening to customers who wanted reliable internet but didn't have a viable option,” said Estiaan Ferreira, CCO at Herotel.
“Evry gives farms, animal sanctuaries, rural homes, and underserved communities a practical way to get online and allows Herotel teams to support them on the ground.”
When will South Africans be able to connect?
Although commercial launch is scheduled for 2027, Amazon Leo already has more than 390 satellites deployed, enough to begin initial service in certain latitudes this year, and coverage and capacity are rapidly expanding.
South Africans who want to be among the first to experience Evry can register now at www.evry.co.za to receive the latest information on product, pricing and service availability ahead of the official rollout.
*This article was first published in our sister publication techfinancials.co.za.
