As the demand for reliable internet continues to grow across Africa, Starlink has emerged as a game-changer, especially in regions like Zimbabwe where traditional internet infrastructure has proved to be limited for some time now.
As someone who has successfully bought, registered and activated over 300 Starlink devices across the African continent, I’ve gathered essential insights that will help you navigate this whole new process smoothly. This guide is particularly tailored for those in Zimbabwe mainly, ensuring you have the right information when you have finally made that decision on switching over to this global internet provider.
I’ll break it down, as this whole ‘Low Earth Orbit’ satellite thingy is new to a lot of us and can get us trying to breakdance like an Australian Olympian!
In layman terms the Starlink equipment is a lot like DStv. You have a ‘dish’ that you put outside your house, point it in a certain direction, a cable that runs from that dish to a ‘decoder’ that will be stationed inside your house, then that decoder connects to your TV.
Now just like that, with Starlink, you have a ‘dish’ that they also call an antenna that goes on top of your house, or in Zimbabwe it needs to be positioned in such a place that once the dish has finished turning (yes, the Generation 2 type of unit turns by itself) it would need to be unobstructed when facing a South direction.
Be sure to have a compass downloaded on your phone when installing to establish the South direction (if you intend on installing on your own and not contract an installer – I’ll probably need to hash out another article advising people of how to install on their own).
There will then be a cable that connects the antenna on your roof to a router that needs to be positioned in your house. This router is equivalent to the decoder spoken about above when referencing DStv. The router is the device that gives off the internet to the devices in your house via Wi-Fi.
Important Stuff To Note About Your Starlink System
- All the account information is stored on your antenna. You can change the router and the cable, but changing the antenna equals you getting a new account.
- If you do not remember your email account and password used when setting up your account, then your antenna becomes useless and you’ll need to buy a new kit. You need the email and password in order to log in to your account, and losing it is a big deal because Starlink will not tell you what it is if you don’t know it.
- Starlink is a product of SpaceX, is an American company and is very different to the local entities you may have dealt with. I say this because of 2 things:
- They have a robust warranty policy, whereby just about ANYTHING happens to your device, they will replace it no questions asked. Obviously don’t be playing no ‘raka raka free walk’ with it and tell them I said they’d replace it…
- They are big on clamping down on copyright infringement. Downloading torrents will see your account getting shut down, as Starlink are obligated to report you when you do such activity and they don’t want to be part of your illegal shenanigans. Be very careful who you give your password to and make sure you tell them not to download torrents. You can always do this by installing a third-party router and having a firewall, as Starlink does not have this restriction in-built.
Now that we’ve gotten that out the way, let’s get into the core of this article.
Here’s what you’ll need to do in order to reserve a Starlink device pre-launch, so that you will be one of the first in the queue to get one.
Step 1: Reserving Your Starlink Device
1.1 Check Availability in Your Area
Before you can purchase a Starlink device, it’s important to verify whether the service is available in your location. To do this, visit the Starlink website and enter your address. If Starlink fails to pick up your address based on what you input, you can click on the circle with a plus sign inside it (the cross hairs) and search for your location based on the map.
Do not take this lightly, as inputting a wrong address could see Starlink either telling you that service is not available in your area or when your kit does arrive you being forced on to the roaming package, because the address where you bought the kit for is not the address where you want to use it.
For now (Wednesday 29 August 2024) Starlink are not yet delivering to Zimbabwe, so all you will be able to do is reserve a kit.
1.2 Reserving Your Device
We know that Starlink will start reselling in Zimbabwe likely in September 2024 and so the next step would be to reserve your device.
This is where things can get a tricky, especially when it comes to making payments from Zimbabwe and banking cards working one day, then the next they don’t seem to. To make payment to Starlink you will need a Visa or Mastercard from any of our local banks/financial institutions.
Cards that used to work (I say used to in that I have not used them for a while now) are O’mari’s Visa card, BancABC’s prepaid card, Steward and Stanbic’s Visa cards. FBC’s Mastercard worked too. But for this exercise I used EcoCash’s Virtual Credit Number (VCN) to make the reservation and it went through smoothly.
To reserve a device Starlink requires someone in Zimbabwe to pay US$9.00 in order to secure their spot in the waiting line. The total amount needed when paying via an Ecocash VCN, including the $0.50 to buy the VCN is US$11.47. $0.50 to Ecocash for the VCN, $9.00 to Starlink and $1.97 to Ecocash and Mthuli for charges and taxes. I can only guess what the banks would charge. Would be nice if someone who goes through this process gives us a heads up as to what the charges are using your bank card.
- Go to the Starlink website and start the reservation process.
- Select your service address and provide the necessary details.
- When it’s time to pay the reservation fee, choose “Credit Card” as the payment method.
- Enter the details of your EcoCash VCN. Ensure you have sufficient funds in your EcoCash wallet to cover the transaction.
Step 2: Waiting for Launch
Once you’ve successfully reserved your device, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Starlink. The waiting period for when we anticipate Starlink going live in Zimbabwe is 1 September 2024, though it could be a week or so after.
Once Starlink goes live they will now start attending to their ‘Reservation Orders’ and will send you an email advising that devices are available for purchase in Zimbabwe and you can pay the balance to secure your device.
2.1 Paying the Balance
Essentially what you would have paid when you paid the $9 is a deposit. This is not the full cost of the device. Indications are that it’ll be in the region of US$350 (though I’m suspecting they will quote it in ZWG – no, don’t get excited, your ZWG can’t pay a Visa/Mastercard transaction. It’ll just be quoted in ZWG but you will pay USD).
So you will need a Visa/Mastercard to settle the remaining $341 (or thereabouts), together with the subscription that you want to be on.
In a nutshell;
Residential – this is for you to use the device at your house or no more than 5km away from the registered address. Costs about US$50/month.
Mobile Regional – this is when you want to use the device at your residential address and on the go, more than 5km away from your house, even in other African countries, but definitely on the same continent. Costs about US$100/month.
Mobile Global – when you want to use the device basically anywhere in the world where Starlink is licensed. Costs about US$400/month.
These are the 3 types of subscriptions you’d want to hover around. Make sure you have enough in your card to (cover the cost of the device + the first month’s subscription of the package you’d want) + 5% as a variance just in case + 5% for bank charges and IMTT fees.
2.2 Customs and Import Duties
In Zimbabwe, I’d suspect that it would pan out a lot like it does in other African countries: the duties and taxes will be charged at the time of purchase. You will not need to pay ZIMRA or POTRAZ anything, they should get their money from Starlink and not from you. Note however, that Starlink will charge you these fees at time of purchase.
There is a possibility that DHL will deliver the device to your doorstep or worst case scenario your nearest DHL will call you and advise you to collect from them. You do not pay them, it’ll be charged to you when you purchase the device.
Step 3: Setting Up and Activating Your Starlink Gen 2 Device
Once your Starlink kit arrives, the excitement begins! Setting up the device is straightforward, but there are a few key steps to ensure everything works perfectly.
3.1 Unboxing and Assembly
Your Starlink kit will include the satellite dish (antenna), a 15m cable that connects the dish to your router, a Wi-Fi router, power supply, and mounting tripod. Start by assembling the dish and mounting it in a location with a clear view of the sky, free from obstructions like trees or buildings.
3.2 Powering On and Connecting
- Plug the power supply into an electrical outlet. It should be a 220v AC power source.
- Connect the antenna to the power supply and the Wi-Fi router using the 15m cable.
- Wait for the dish to automatically position itself and establish a connection with the Starlink satellites. This process may take a few minutes.
3.3 Activating Your Device
To activate your Starlink device, download the Starlink app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. When you’d have paid for the device and the subscription, use that email and password to log in to your account. The app will guide you through the activation process, ensuring your device is connected and operational.
Step 4: Optimising Your Starlink Experience
Now that your Starlink device is up and running, it’s time to optimise your experience. Here are some tips:
4.1 Positioning the Dish
Ensure the dish remains in a clear, unobstructed area. If you notice signal drops, try adjusting the dish’s position slightly.
4.2 Wi-Fi Router Placement
Place the Wi-Fi router centrally in your home for the best coverage. Avoid placing it near thick walls or other electronic devices that may cause interference.
4.3 Monitoring Your Usage
Use the Starlink app to monitor your data usage and connection status. This will help you troubleshoot any issues and ensure you’re getting the most out of your satellite internet connection.
Pre-Conclusion
I didn’t get a chance to mention, so let me stick this in here. Even though the fine print says Starlink has Fair Usage Policy (FUP) throttling at 1TB, I have not experienced this at all. I can safely say Starlink currently HAVE NO FUP!
The 3 packages mentioned above (Residential, Regional and Global) are all UNLIMITED in the true sense of the word. You can use 10,000 GB in a month if you can and they will not charge you any extra.
Conclusion
In conclusion, securing reliable internet through Starlink in Zimbabwe is a transformative experience. By following this guide, you can seamlessly navigate the process from reservation to activation, ensuring that you stay connected in a region where internet access is vital.
With the right setup and optimisation, Starlink can provide you with the fast, reliable internet connection you need, whether you’re in a rural area or a city.
Remember to stay updated with the latest information about Starlink by frequently checking this page on the Techzim website.
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If you are struggling with buying Starlink for any reason, general payment challenges, transferring a kit to Zimbabwe, selecting the right hardware for their needs, installation, accessories, troubleshooting Starlink and other such issues… a local ICT company, Safari Mounts, is helping Zimbabweans navigate Starlink problems with some hand holding. They can be contacted via this Google form and are charging a nominal fee to help. Techzim benefits a referral fee when they help you.
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69 comments
Thank you for the tutorial. Very informative about setting up Starlink.
Ruwa touya ikoko, apparently in Ruwa the laser cit pools like at Chenyika ranch can be found.
Guys i was excited about the $38 usd monthly subscription. What happened to that, i still want that. I don’t have the extra 12 usd lol. But i guess the difference comes on limitation on the download speed where that one was for 50 mps and that one would be for 100 and above per seconds right. But still 50 wil do for me lol.
Good lecture! Any challenges with reception especially pachange of weather
Thank you for the detailed information. Can’t wait for Starlink
This is a very informative outline. Thank you for taking your time to write this
Quite informative. I’ve placed a deposit when they were asking $99 (very early on).
Looking forward to it.
Will there be a degradation of service as more people sign up over time?
There seems to be so many people using Starlink locally. Might be an idea to post how to transfer your account from roaming to a Zim account.
Your information was good thank you so much
Very informative article thanks, what about the kits that are currently on roaming will they be able to change location to be fixed in Zim.. Thanks
Useful article. Informative. What has been detailed above will help in the decisions to purchase one.
The shoddy internet service of our current providers is frustrating and backward.
Thankyou for acvery good article. Please advise if an additional router/extender can be added.
Many tganks,
Mike
I wouldn’t recommend using The Ecocash VCN though…tried to make a payment for my starlink roam subscription sometime last week and till now the payment hasn’t gone through yet the money was deducted from my account and the transaction is taking forever to reverse
What about buying from Chinese e-commerce sites?
Can I upgrade or downgrade my subscription type with the same Starlink kit.
This is a milestone in Zimbabwe, l would like to have it at y home, l always like space x
Thanks Chibaba so informative,heard someone was planning to bring them here from UK and sell for $800
Useful information at the appropriate time
Very informative, coming to us at the appropriate time
Munoreva here kuti ndikashandisa website Gujara, kit rangu robva raita useless
Gujara zvinhu manje. Yatiponesa vamwe. Hameno kuti neVPN tohwina here.
What’s guraja
Tinohwina you try CLOUDFLARE WARP….haaa inowedzera me speed baba….hauzomboda. Ini kufazhi vanhu vachiwanna ma bits per second ndanga ndiri pa 10mbs per second nayo iyo, ndichiramba zvangu ndakanyarara. Even ma blocked websites inopinda ka 1 wangu very fast to connect and increases speed.
Lol, ndapatyawo ipapo because zvinhu zve free tinozvida. But maybe he meant torrents like using Utorrent to download them, i think its different ini from download links from goojara.ch
Thenollyverse.com
Freemoviesfull.com
Lightdl.xyz (iri chibaba manje thank me later) make sure you block adds and use IDM (Internet Download Manager)
Thank you I’m going to use this information to install a Starlink kit at Penny Pangetis’, sorry I forget your (Nee). This is is you want lower earth orbit internet which is unlimited.
Please use the fast Starlink speeds to brush up on the TRC. Thanks
:OFFTOPIC
Is DSTV reconnection fee still a thing?
What purpose does it serve besides increasing profits?
//Hello Mr Chui
This nashe in Greendale installs Starlink. Muna Rhodesville.
When I get my router DAF I promised to share the connection, I haven’t forgot. There also some people here I will share with, some I won’t.
Darth Vader bring your light saber for Starlink installation.
Well researched.
And by the way you can reset your kit if you forget your login credentials.
By power cycling kit 6 times within 2-3 minute intervals.
Two to Three seconds intervals I meant. Typo.
Thank you for that addition, i was already additing that to the disadvantages of starlink.
This is a professional compilation, so easy and straightforward to understand, I thank you.
Thanx for the clear insight. Going for Starlink.
Great
Thank you so much this is bery insightful. But just to ask what does Torrent Files mean?
Torrents are a way to share and download files over the internet. Here’s a simplified explanation:
*What is a torrent?*
A torrent is a small file that contains metadata about the files you want to download. This metadata includes information like file names, sizes, and the addresses of other users who have the files.
*How does it work?*
1. A user creates a torrent file and shares it on a torrent website or network.
2. Other users download the torrent file and connect to the network.
3. The torrent software (like BitTorrent) connects you to other users who have the files you want.
4. The files are broken into small pieces and downloaded from multiple users simultaneously.
5. As you download, you also upload pieces to other users, creating a peer-to-peer network.
*Types of torrents:*
1. *Public torrents*: Available to anyone, often used for sharing open-source software, public domain content, or large files.
2. *Private torrents*: Restricted to specific users or groups, often used for sharing copyrighted content or sensitive information.
*Important notes:*
1. *Be cautious*: Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal in many countries.
2. *Use reputable sources*: Avoid malicious torrents that may contain viruses or malware.
3. *Respect seeders*: Seeders are users who upload files; try to maintain a good upload-to-download ratio to support the community.
Remember, torrents can be a powerful tool for sharing and accessing files, but use them responsibly and legally!
Nice article. Well articulated
Guys ndokumbirawo kana paine awonawo comment ya Tanaka anga arikuda web designer and developer andipewo number dzake please I can’t find that comment anymore
Super good
I guess ppl do like starlink but some of us already had telone at home and not gonna lie telone does me no dirty here like the speeds are good while starlink is like100mbs but the ones i get the 25-35 are pretty good not gonna lie get to stream 4k on youtube n play mk1 with good ping while ppl at home are surfing . To me telone wi likey change strategy in future hope prices drop but as of know most u starlink junks will be on the same boat as me at home witb telone no cap
Tinohwina you try CLOUDFLARE WARP….haaa inowedzera me speed baba….hauzomboda. Ini kufazhi vanhu vachiwanna ma bits per second ndanga ndiri pa 10mbs per second nayo iyo, ndichiramba zvangu ndakanyarara. Even ma blocked websites inopinda ka 1 wangu very fast to connect and increases speed.
Was answering nyaya yema VPN i forgot to tag
Thank you for the detailed info. I still hope yu are going to have lower packages even if they are for limited GB and are for smaller fee to accommodate low income earners
HI THANKS FOR THIS VALUABLE INFO , IV TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REGISTER ON THE PORTAL BUT ONCE IV PUT MY ADRESS IT DOES’NT SEEM TO REGISTER IM NOT SURE WHERE IM GOING WRONG. I AM FROM WATERFALLS , HARARE.
I would like to know how many devices can have access to the Starlink.
Thanks for this as easy as ABC explanation.
This is extremely good stuff. I am pleased with how you have educated all of us. Well done to you Zimbabwean youngsters
Very informative, clear and educative.
How can I get a hands on training in installation of this device
Very good article. Thanks for sharing
An informative piece
I recently bought my device in Malawi, and now that I’m using it in Zimbabwe, I’m running into some serious issues. I’m getting Spanish ads, and I can’t even make WhatsApp calls—it’s like a tech nightmare. To make matters worse, DStv Now keeps telling me I’m in the wrong region, so I can’t even access that. I purchased the kit using my email from Malawi, but now I’m stuck. Does anyone have any tips on how I can adjust my location settings to fix this?
Very informative and useful
Lol that was a routing issue
https://www.techzim.co.zw/2024/09/how-to-transfer-your-starlink-kit-to-zimbabwe/
Superb. We have for long endured shortchanging in zim. We welcome starlink. Change the game
Last post you said launch 1 September? Where is your source? Or you are just thinking that it will happen the way you want it to happen.
Very insightful piece.
How can I add another starlink device to the same account in Zimbabwe
How can I add another starlink device using same email account but different physical address in Zimbabwe
I need it
Thanx for the clear insight. Going for Starlink.
This information was indeed helpful
Where in Harare can we come and register and pay / swipe
Good day im trying to order my starlink kit i want the one for $200 but im failing im just able to click the option for 350 what should i do
Great we will have faster internet connections
DOES STARLINK IN ZIM HAVE THE ROAMING KITS. I AM IN SA AND WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A ROAMING KIT SO THAT WHEN L GET THERE I DONT HAVE INTERNET PROBLEM ISSUES FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES. CAN I PAY FOR A ZIM KIT FROM SOUTH AFRICA?
Good lecture
Any advise on how to overcome monthly Starlink subs payment issues? Whatever credit card i use, Starlink payment fails. Cards that worked before are rejected too. Banks are clueless and dont have answers as to why and the issue seems to lie with Starlink. Opened a ticket but they have failed to correct whatever is wrong and my grace period is running out soon and i suppose i will be disconnected from service. Is it just me or are there others with the same challenge? Any serious advise welcome.