If you take anything from this article, it’s that Starlink’s presence in Zimbabwe could lead to improved internet services, even if you don’t directly use their products. By partnering with Starlink or OneWeb for backhauling services, local providers like Econet, NetOne, Liquid, Telco, Utande and others can expand their networks more affordably, resulting in faster speeds, lower latency, and potentially lower costs for consumers.
The Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) said Starlink should start rolling out in Zimbabwe between July and September. He says that’s what Starlink said in its application but that doesn’t mean they will meet that deadline.
That’s around the corner and judging from our trip to IMC’s offices (Starlink’s local partners), it will likely take them at least the entire month of June to get everything ready.
The DG also said,
In their application they will provide backhauling connectivity and they can also enter into commercial arrangements with local players.
It doesn’t like much but this is exactly why we were moaning about Starlink’s licensing taking too long. It is a big deal. Let us unpack what Starlink providing backhauling services means.
Backhauling vs direct internet access
When we think of Starlink, we think of direct internet access to end users. This is where you buy your $600 kit, fasten it to your roof and treat yourself to unlimited internet in your home.
With this direct internet access to end users, Starlink targets individual households, small businesses and remote locations.
Starlink provides high-speed internet directly to end users via a satellite dish and modem. Users connect their personal devices (computers, smartphones, etc.) to the internet through this setup.
Starlink also offers backhaul services and here the target market are; Internet service providers (ISPs like TelOne, Liquid, Utande, Telco), mobile network operators (like Econet and NetOne), businesses, and emergency services.
Starlink provides high-capacity connections that link smaller local networks to larger, core networks. This is used to extend internet connectivity from central locations to outlying areas.
To understand what that entails, consider Econet using Starlink to connect remote cell towers to its core network, ensuring mobile coverage in those areas.
Backhaul services are aimed at network infrastructure, providing connectivity for other networks or service providers to extend their reach.
So, even without a Starlink kit yourself, you still could benefit from Starlink’s services if they can find a way to “enter into commercial arrangements with local players.”
This is what the Minister of ICT meant when she said existing and future sector operators can utilise Starlink services for cheaper access, especially in remote places that are currently difficult to service using fibre or cell towers.
AMN Nigeria
Just last month, Africa Mobile Networks Group made the following announcement:
AMN is pleased to announce that the first AMN base station is now live using LEO backhaul from SpaceX’s Starlink. In 2023, AMN announced a commercial agreement to use Starlink, SpaceX’s constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, to connect AMN’s mobile network base stations with high-speed, low-latency broadband services.
By utilising Starlink terminals to provide low-latency satellite backhaul, we are able to deliver the full capability of AMN’s unique multi-carrier radio access node (the ARN) with 3G and 4G as well as 2G, with ever-increasing amounts of bandwidth and data volumes demanded by subscribers whilst remaining economically sustainable. The LEO backhaul also paves the way for AMN to deliver 5G services, targeted before the end of 2024.
I hope you appreciate how big of a deal that is. AMN is using Starlink infrastructure to connect their cell towers in rural areas to the internet. Through that they will be able to offer 5G to the Nigerian countryside before the end of 2024.
See, there are several ways that cell towers are connected to the core network. Some are connected through fibre optic cables but that’s expensive. So, many (most?) use microwave links etc.
Many existing backhaul connections (e.g., older microwave links or limited-capacity fiber) can’t deliever high-capacity backhaul to support their high data rates and low latency that 5G requires.
However, Starlink does the have the capacity and data rates to allow mobile network operators to offer 5G even in the rural areas.
This could allow Econet to expand its 5G network from a handful spots in major cities to the whole of Zimbabwe for much cheaper than it would have cost otherwise. In the same vein, NetOne could get in on the 5G action too .
I imagine Econet will go with Liquid and OneWeb for their satellite backhaul needs whilst TelOne and NetOne, being parastatals will go with the IMC-linked Starlink.
We all win
This satellite backhaul business means if Starlink and local players strike deals, everyone will benefit from Starlink’s licensing. Even if you can’t afford a personal Starlink kit, you could find yourself getting Econet or NetOne’s 5G in that neighbourhood of yours that is lucky to get 2G half the time.
So, regardless of Chivhayo’s involvement, it’s a good thing Starlink and OneWeb now have a presence in Zimbabwe.
Comments
53 responses
Starlink approval and the ensuing benefits are a no brainer. But, uyu munhu uyu , it’s a bitter pill for to swallow.
I’m seeing so many wins from this change.
Back hauling is also going to be a game changer on the mobile broadband market .it’s not only going to give us expanded geographical connectivity but also, Maybe, for the first time a provision of unlimited data plans that could be available for our phones (mobile broadband).
on a different note ,I think IMC is going to get a lot buck by being involved in the deal of back hauling ,of all govt owned MNOs ,which some might be bitter about.But like Leonard said he would take a glass of half empty juice ,I too would do the same. So long as all this that’s happening benefits my pocket, why should I be bothered ?
* all of govt owned MNOs
We’ve internet connectivity already what we’re only worried about is the COST. If we can connect cheaper and faster without being ripped off, to me Starlink is welcome.
Who is “We”? Certainly not me. There is no internet connectivity at all in rural areas…so it’s not only about cost.
Which one? When we still get 3Mbpa from telone and thats the Fastest they offer on their ADSL
D
Excellent article TechZim. Sadly from the comment section you can tell those that don’t understand the immense opportunity at hand regardless of kuti yaunzwa nani. Shasha dzikutooneka futi with the trajectory & questions there are posing to expand knowledge of the incoming opportunity…And you wonder why the person sitted right next you is excelling in the same Zim you are seeing flames…#Just. Your. Perspective.
We just need reasonable price for Internet in Zimbabwe like other countries in our region, we have been robbed for too long by the current service providers offering very slow speeds.
It’s all Greek to me. But what the hell is Wicknell Chivhayo doing in this whole mix
Getting paid
Kukwana kwana. All government institutions and private organisations (businesses NGOs etc), schools, health centres, etc, will have to connect through the authorised reseller, which is IMC
Looks good. Let’s see what transpires
Do you think he Chivayo will offer it cheap I don’t think so.Youre taking g a person of dubious character and handing him a major contract like.Im always at a loss for words with these Orangutans.They never cease to amaze.
This is good news. I would like to starlink kit .I am staying in Nyamandlovu 90 kms from Bulawayo. My email *******@gmail.com
I hope this email is not critical. There are people that crawl the web for such free data that they can bundle and sell.
Forgot to say, hang on until this IMC company starts trading. All the information will come out. In the meantime, educate yourself so you don’t get scammed into overpaying for things like setup/installation.
True
Most of 90percent l think won’t afford that $600 kit
Starlink is definitely not massively market, but it is excellent value in commercial and institutional situations that are currently on fibre or vsat. It’s also attainable for people willing to save. A lot of middle class people will be able to find a spot they can cut in their expenses or a an asset they can dispose of to make the switch. It’s not super attainable but it’s not completely impossible either.
Starlink is now offering an option to buy the kits on installments over 12 months. This will chirp away at the 600 dollar entry barrier
600 US kit buying, really ridiculous
5G isn’t coming anytime soon,it doesn’t work as well as it is advertised
What do you mean when you say “it doesn’t work well as advertised”?
A great move towards mordenisation
All we want is cheap and reliable internet access
Cant wait to use my starlink,im sick and tied of local network
With or without Starlink as long as there is ZanuPF and munangagwa + chiwanga zimbabwe is a failed state. There are no jobs, roads and hospitals but you want to get excited about internet???
Internet is now a basic thing in this modern world
As Zimbabwe we are many yrs behind the rest of the world
We need good internet for general use at home and surveillance of our homes everywhere not only Borrowdale
Considering our prophets n nangas who can heal anything, agents who sell green products dat can heal anything, who needs a hospital lol. Bt we do need internet, our lives depend on it
We need droid VPN back
But kaHa tunnel kanomhanya kaya
As long potraz irimo nothing will change the only advantage u will have is speed not cheaper internet never
Thinking of buying starlink as soon as its on market for our small business(s) use. There are three of us on the same complex with a total of about 15 or so gadgets. Any idea how much this may cost, if the speed will maintain at this usage, if we need more than one modem and what the monthly sub for this scale would be.
I think it’s over 100 devices on the standard router that’s included in the kit. The only reason to upgrade is if you want the latest possible WiFi standard or a higher range. I think that needs an adapter though, just look it up to be sure.
If you guys manage usage properly (schedule OS updates overnight and share them across network, block torrents during work hours, keep 4k youtubing to a minimum etc), you should be fine. If it still turns out to be too slow for you, there is a high performance kit and business packages available, but they will cost you. No idea what that cost will be since there’s a middle man now.
I can assist in designing a small network that suits your needs. If interested, lets engage
My concern every affordable thing becomes very expensive in Zimbabwe.
Africa so far has discounted rates. Probably to encourage higher uptake, but yes, there technically is room for the price to rise to the full cost other locations are charged. It’s just not likely to happen soon as SpaceX seems to price on a sliding scale in response to how congested and area is. No idea what will happen on IMCs side though.
I have a ask, what if l buy cheaper starlink equipment like from other countries then setup here. Will it still work or they will be geographically locked.
According to Zim Tech Guy on YouTube, you can bring in your kit but your support will end up being from SpaceX instead of IMC. Vice versa applies as well.
The old Gen 2 kit is going for half price as Gen 3 takes over so I hope this question gets a definitive answer.
You will be on a roaming plan that expires every 2 months. When it expires you have to take the kit back to the country of origin to reactivate the roaming. Its a bit of a hustle but it works
You will be on a roaming plan that expires every 2 months. When it expires you have to take the kit back to the country of origin to reactivate the roaming. Its a bit of a hustle but it works
That hustle won’t be nice. Better get it here then.
It sounds great for the Zimbabweans and hopefully the dream will come true as I am experiencing Starlink’s services here in Lusaka.
My question is how I will move my Starlink kit back home to Zimbabwe from Zambia after my assignment.
Will the transfer bring in other legal issues?
It shouldn’t. The previous disconnection warnings were because Starlink wasn’t legal yet and had pending approval. Once you move back, Starlink will prompt you to update your service address after some time. You can also update that information as soon as you are settled back.
Wapihwa Vitz naWeak-Nail Chivharo ka iwe? Why complicate simple services like that? We all benefit if you remove the middle men, simburu!
As long it is going to be cheaper no problem. But I worried obout chivhayo. What is he doing in this issue. Starting to doubt
I am glad Econet can’t milk us anymore the way they did these past 2, 3 decades. We were sold mobile lines for 300 dollars plus yet we celebrate the billionaire. Ridiculous.
Starlink is not coming to replace econet though
Starlink is not coming to replace econet though. For mobile internet connectivity, you are still stuck with the traditional MNOs
That’s true for those that already have access to liquid fiber,telone ,africom etc for home internet.
But for those who could not access the above ,and were using your econets netones (which is crazy expensive)for home internet access -starlink is going to be a replacement,and believe or not so many Zimbos do not have access to liquid fiber, telone ,africom
for mobile internet, yes we maintain the econet lines but maybe just spending a dollar or two for when you are on the road ,and only when it’s critical
I am sure most of the people like me will be able to afford the packages of starlink without costing a leg and an arm.
Btw can you please follow me here?
This is a good move