Zimbabweans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Starlink, the revolutionary satellite internet service, has officially launched in the country, just before midnight on Friday 6 September 2024.
The news has been met with excitement, as many have eagerly awaited the arrival of cheaper and faster internet.
The Starlink website now shows Zimbabwe as “Available Now”, just days after neighbouring Botswana also went live. Users can expect download speeds of up to 200Mbps, a significant leap forward for Zimbabwe’s internet landscape.
However, the launch hasn’t been without its share of intrigue. Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono revealed on X that a meeting took place in Harare this week involving representatives from Starlink, DHL, the Secret Service, the defence ministry, and ZIMRA, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
Chin’ono, citing sources within Starlink, alleged that authorities proposed a 40% stake in the company’s local operations for Wicknell Chivayo’s IMC, with the controversial Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) receiving 10%. This proposal was reportedly rejected by Starlink, who stated that the other parties were offering little beyond political influence.
Chin’ono also revealed that Starlink was initially set to dispatch 1,500 test kits from America to Harare this week, but this was delayed until POTRAZ, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, signed off on the shipment.
“My Starlink source told me this morning that they rejected the deal because the other parties were not bringing anything to the table except political capital. The Starlink Africa and Middle East contact informed me that they will be shipping the first 1,500 test kits this coming week via DHL, and they should arrive in Harare within the week for pre-go-live regulatory local compliance activities by POTRAZ,” said Chin’ono.
The investigative journalist also shared that Starlink will be using the Destination Duties Paid (DDP) arrangement for importing units via DHL. This means SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, will pay customs duties upfront, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.
So, what does this all mean for Zimbabweans who are eager to sign up for Starlink?
The Starlink website now displays the exact pricing for the service and equipment in Zimbabwe. The Standard Kit, designed for personal use, costs US$350. The Residential service package, offering unlimited data at a fixed location within a 5km radius, costs US$50 per month. Shipping and handling, likely managed by DHL, is priced at US$23.
A US$50 deposit is required to reserve the service, with the remaining balance payable upon confirmation of the order.
While the exact version of the Starlink kits to be rolled out in Zimbabwe is still unknown, customers can choose between the standard kit and the mini kit, which is priced at US$200 on the Starlink website, although it is not yet clickable.
Interestingly, Starlink has opted to price its service in US dollars, to probably overcome the Zimbabwe’s unstable currency. This suggests that the company has conducted thorough research on the Zimbabwean market and is prepared to navigate currency fluctuations.
It’s important to note that Starlink, like other internet providers, may face capacity constraints in certain areas. Customers in these regions may experience delays in receiving their devices until the necessary infrastructure upgrades are complete.
The arrival of Starlink has already sparked a wave of competition in Zimbabwe’s internet market. Econet, the country’s largest mobile internet provider, has introduced an LTE unlimited data service for USD 45 per month. Other providers, including Utande, Liquid, TelOne, Powertel, and Telco, have also launched promotional packages to stay competitive.
This game-changing partnership will see Liquid gain exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private networks 5G access solution in these regions. XCOM Radio Access Network is a multipoint radio system that delivers high capacity and flexibility, making it ideal for private wireless networks. It boasts four times the capacity and superior performance compared to other systems.
The company has already made significant progress, with 12 sites already equipped with 4G LTE technology, including key locations within Harare.
These include Budiriro, Glen Norah, Mufakose, Chitungwiza’s Unit J, Hatfield, Boka, the new Parliament building and the Harare Main Exchange, which features advanced Massive MIMO antenna technology.
Starlink’s launch in Zimbabwe marks a significant moment for the country’s digital landscape. While there are still some uncertainties surrounding the rollout, the potential for faster, more affordable internet access is undeniable. As the service becomes more widely available, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the lives of Zimbabweans and the country’s overall digital development.
