The South African government is advancing its National Communication Satellite Strategy (SatCom) to bridge the digital divide. This initiative, launched in 2021, requires an initial investment of approximately ZAR 5.2B (around USD 288M).

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising SatCom technologies for services 

• Understand national 

policies and identify national policies that utilise SatCom

• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders involved in policy implementation

• Access to SatCom capabilities

• Spectrum policy & coordination with telecom regulator; ITU procedures where applicable

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 20k–250k

• Includes: literature review and baseline study, stakeholder consultations report drafting and validation, legal review, parliamentary passage/decrees if needed

Timeframe:

• Overall: 12–24 mo

• Phase: scoping & consultations (3–6 mo), draft policy/legal review (4–8 mo), approval & adoption (5–10 mo)

Pros:

• Streamlined Funding and Implementation - Ease funding access and facilitate project implementation

• Strategic Sovereignty - Promote national autonomy in digital infrastructure by integrating indigenous SatCom capabilities into policy-driven initiatives

Considerations:

• Policy Implementation Lag - Takes time to support and implement national policies.

• Complex Stakeholder Coordination - Coordinates efforts across various stakeholders such as governmental departments, which can be complex.