Savious Madanhire
In a move set to revolutionize Zimbabwe’s internet landscape, Starlink the satellite internet service developed by SpaceX has been officially launched in the country.
Starlink’s billionaire founder, Mr Elon Musk confirmed activation of the service on his X account.
“Starlink now available in Zimbabwe!” he said.
Following the approval of licensing Starlink by, his excellency President Mnangagwa through the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), in May, as part of efforts to deepen the digital economy, bridge the digital divide and deliver on the promise to “leave no one and no place behind.”
“Innovation, science, and technology are among the top strategic pillars that underpin the Second Republic’s developmental agenda under Vision 2030,” he said.
“The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) wishes to advise the public that Starlink has been licensed to provide satellite broadband connectivity in Zimbabwe. The Authority further advises that there are no regulatory restrictions prohibiting the importation of Starlink kits into Zimbabwe.”
The service is expected to be a game changer, especially for rural communities, where traditional fiber optic connectivity is scarce.
However, Starlink is now available for order on the Starlink website, offering two residential packages designed to meet the diverse needs of customers.
The Standard Package, priced at $50 per month, comes with a hardware cost of $350 and offers speeds of up to 200 Mbps. This package is ideal for multiple users and high-bandwidth activities, making it perfect for larger households and businesses.
The Mini Package, priced at $30 per month, comes with a hardware cost of $200 and offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This package is designed for basic internet use and smaller households, providing an affordable option for those who want to stay connected.
Both packages offer unlimited data, allowing customers to browse, stream, and download without worrying about running out of data.
In addition to the monthly and hardware costs, customers will also pay a one-time shipping fee of $23.
Meanwhile, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has issued a ban on the sale of Starlink User Terminals (kits) by telecoms service providers and ordinary dealers without a license.
“It is a condition of the Starlink licenses that such agencies, dealers and ISPs shall be subject to clearance by POTRAZ.”
