390 is today’s Number of the Day.
That is the number of Amazon Leo satellites currently in orbit as the company prepares to bring its satellite-internet service to South Africa.
Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the surprise behind the announcement.
For years, Starlink has dominated the local conversation around internet from space. It has thousands more satellites, an established international customer base and a significant technological head start.
But Amazon Leo may reach South African residential customers first.
Herotel has signed an agreement to distribute Amazon Leo-powered broadband through a new service called evry. Commercial availability is expected in 2027, with the service intended for homes and small businesses in areas where fibre and fixed-wireless infrastructure remain unavailable or impractical.
The episode examines how Amazon’s local-partnership model differs from Starlink’s approach, why telecommunications licensing remains central to the contest and whether Starlink could eventually follow the same route.
Pricing, coverage and the exact launch date remain unknown.
Amazon has announced the road into South Africa.
The real test is whether ordinary South Africans will be able to afford the journey.
Catch up on all Number of the Day episodes here: https://www.enca.com/number-day-podcast
Chapter List
(00:00) 390 Amazon Leo Satellites
(00:11) Satellite Internet Coming to South Africa
(00:22) Why Everyone Expected Starlink
(00:32) Amazon Leo Beats Starlink to the Announcement
(00:40) Herotel Signs Amazon Leo Distribution Deal
(00:53) How Herotel Will Deliver the Service
(01:03) The South African Licence Structure
(01:17) Elon Musk and the Starlink Dispute
(01:27) South Africa’s 30% Ownership Requirement
(01:42) Why Musk Rejected the Rules
(01:55) Should Satellite-Internet Rules Change?
(02:06) Amazon Leo Finds Another Route
(02:14) Could Starlink Use a Local Partner?
(02:20) Why Starlink Wants Full Control
(02:32) Amazon Chooses Local Distribution
(02:35) Amazon Leo Has No Customers Yet
(02:48) South Africa Could Be an Early Market
(02:53) Amazon Leo’s 390 vs Starlink’s 10,000
(03:05) Why Amazon May Reach SA First
(03:14) The Planned 2027 Launch
(03:18) Will Starlink Change Strategy?
(03:23) Could Other Satellite Providers Follow?
(03:29) The Meaning Behind 390
