Starlink is now live in Zimbabwe.
The company officially turned on service in Zimbabwe just before midnight, Friday 6 September 2024. It’s a big cheer from many areas in the country as many have awaited this moment for some time. The Starlink Map now includes Zimbabwe as being ‘Available Now’ just a few days after our western neighbours Botswana also went live.
Users in Zimbabwe can expect download speeds of up to 200Mbps, something we’ve just been seeing recently as local internet providers started waking up to the threat.
It’s been a grilling week if you’ve been watching the news around Starlink in Zimbabwe as we’ve waited for it to go live since Sunday 1 September 2024. A whole week later and Starlink has finally turned on our tea-pot country as Zimbabweans eagerly awaited cheaper internet.
Earlier this week I made some indications as to the pricing of the various Starlink services but this evening the Starlink website has updated showing us the exact prices that Zimbabweans will pay for the service and the kit.
As we celebrate and come to terms with the new and exciting times, here’s a look at the pricing that reflects on the Starlink website.
Hardware: Standard US$350
The Standard Kit is the version that users get for ‘personal use’. Starlink issue this for those who will be using the kit at their place of residence and not as a heavy user.
At this juncture it is unknown whether the satellite internet provider will roll out the Generation 2 or the Generation 3 as though the prices have been updated on the website right now, Starlink are not showing what exact version of their kits will be rolling out.
Service: Residential US$50/month
While it is not explicit in showing what service this is, based on my experience, this is the Residential package. This package is what one will need in order to access the service at a fixed place and no more than 5km from this location (treat it as 3km, as a ‘just in case’) without needing to change their address, transfer their kit and/or the package they’d be on.
At $50 this is exactly the pricing we’d guessed it to be when we put out our predictions.
Shipping and Handling US$23
Starlink ships/delivers the device ‘to your doorstep’, at least they do in Zambia and Malawi. This fee in those countries is for DHL, who they’ve probably partnered with as their courier of choice.
Usually what will happen is Starlink will warehouse their kits in bond in the country. This means that they’d probably store it at the airport or somewhere convenient, and ‘in bond’ means that they will not import them and pay duties, but keep them housed waiting for a paying client needing delivery.
DHL is renowned for adding some BS fee (usually $50) to your invoice as a handling charge but it’s pleasing to note that in the case of Starlink your maximum exposure to DHL will be $23.
Expect the kit to be delivered to your house/place of residence/address you put, though in certain cases they will ask you to collect from a collection point in your city near you.
I’ll add this here and just put it on record that Starlink at this point have neither stated, nor shown, who their courier partner will be delivering their devices. This information will follow in due course.
Deposit: US$50
Previously when I reserved my device the deposit needed was US$9. This was just a few days ago. Some people note that in the ‘early days’ they were made to pay a deposit of US$99.
Regardless of the deposit fee you’re paid or will pay now, you will now be required to pay the balance to make it a total of US350.
Interesting Things To Note
- Starlink shows the Starlink Mini kit on their site, though it is not clickable, at US$200. This is a great price as in other markets they go for as much as US$600. I’ll definitely follow its availability as this kit will definitely give Econet’s SmartBiz a run for its money.
- Starlink Quote in USD
This is very interesting and I’m sure they’ve done their homework on Zimbabwe, but also, they’ve been exposed in other regional markets like Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi having unstable currencies. Pricing in a local currency will see the price locked at some figure in ZWG and then a daily/an instantaneous conversion would take place and deducting accordingly. Starlink also will need regulatory approval in order to increase their service fee and see what safeguards them is that they are pricing in USD! - Capacity Status
We’ve all become used to the age-old excuse from some local internet providers who would tell us either their base stations are full or that there is no capacity in one’s area at the moment.
Starlink are no different in this regard and issue a notice at the point of purchase advising you that they are at capacity in your area and do not ship the device until they have provided/upgraded the infrastructure in your area that will allow you to connect to the internet.
If your area is at capacity then Starlink WILL NOT ship a kit to you.I’ll publish an article around how you can circumvent this restriction and get a device sooner and use it in an area that’s congested!
For those of you who already have a Starlink device, but you’re roaming from another country, here’s a detailed explanation on how you can move your account/subscription to the cheaper Residential package now offered in Zimbabwe.
Follow Techizm WhatsApp Channel for Zimbabwe and Starlink News Updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaS23mO84OmAI88Cwd2q
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99 comments
Sheesh 🔥🔥
Huchi Baba
You keep saying imminent launch but Starlink sent me an email saying “STARLINK IS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, YOU CAN ORDER NOW”
On the app it says I need to pay US$373 now and it’ll be shipped in 1 – 2 weeks. Should I wait to order or ndikutononoka!!!
On the order page their cheaper kit is the mini going for $200 and $30 / month for service. The Mini is clickable – maybe they are still updating. I’m also not sure how to complete my order from the account. There’s no option for that… please share information if you have any… or maybe still – they are still updating.
Give it some time, I’ve already ordered 1 ye 350… All went well
Best news I’ve heard in a while!
How can i be an acredited installer
What is the difference between the standard and mini in terms of internet speed and number connections?
How many users can connect to this device . And can those users be managed eg booting them
Out from a central position
From my understandings, The starlink router doesn’t have that functionality you need to get an ethernet adapter and put the starlink router in bypass mod then you use your own router that support that functionality. For 2nd Gen routers only not sure about the other ones.
Gen 3 has built in Ethernet
It connects up to 100 users then it’s got 2 Ethernet ports if it’s a gen 3 which I doubt in this case are going to be rolled out since in our neighboring countries it’s yet to be available via the Starlink website.
While we have slow and unreliable(to some extent) internet, Starlink’s USD50/month sounds a bit heavy for the average home user. Current ISP have family packages as low as USD10/month albeit with limited data. Starlink would benefit from staggering their internet packages to also cater for small users. The one size fits all approach may mitigate against wide adoption of Starlink.
We form a cooperatives in the surbubs and share the price then either run ethernet cables, long range AP, etc, and we are done.
Seen?
🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Its against their terms. Read the small print. You ll be fined as they can access the device behind your network.
There’s a reason why it’s priced as such, IT DOESN’T WORK!! The amount of productivity and opportunity lost to those unreliable packages cannot be over emphasised!
If you have used the wifi before you would know that its worth that much and $50 is actually cheaper than what you get at telone
True, we’re paying US90 for telone nonsense
Let the games begin! This is the dawn of a new era.
Hie can you provide more details on Mini package and what will be the difference from the Standard hardware
The hardware that is available Gen 3 router 360$ for US$30/mo for service and the
mini 200 US$30/mo for service
What? Where didyiu get this information
Yesaya lets go guys
Econet smartbiz is the way installation is simple why should you crack your head in purchasing a gadget just walk into an Econet shop purchase your device you are done
True, & you can get quite good speeds on 4G+. You can get a 4G router for as low as $65.
How much is the installation fee, and monthly subscription
musanyeperane the line works only 3 months in your fone then after 3 months you need to buy their router which is $200. muchasvinura takaenda takaenda kunyeredzi dzakabatana
Why Econet if Starlink is faster
I think let’s remember what these econets and liquid and telone where doing to us before starlink came and tell them to stick their systems where the sun don shine !
When ever a product is being introduced, expect the prices to be a bit high and eventually goes down, check solar products, boreholes, just to name a few. Let’s be on the terraces.
Its against their terms. Read the small print. You ll be fined as they can access the device behind your network.
A very good idea but what should I do if I stay in Granary and on the map it’s showing Kuwadzana Extension instead
Contact me on 0784309012. Will assist with that.. it works perfectly
Good news, let the fun begin
Is the 350 payable as a once off or one can pay in installments. This looks too steep for individual families. Your article stipulates speeds of downloading only, wat is the limit on volume of data. Is it 10,20,50,100 gigabytes or more and where does one purchase the starling issues from and does it have any time or expiry limits. Please be exhaustive otherwise your article is well intended
This is Unlimited internet baba ! Can stream all day all night no need to worry about kupedza Data ! Now makes sense to subscribe to international TV and radio platforms , online classes and even setting up businesses online ! It’s a game changer
Good morning. I need to purchase my starling kit how can I purchase one
Starlink.com thats their website if you struggling contact me on 0784309012,I will assist
Cause for smiles. Competition is vital for economic growth
Now the competition brought by starlink is tough… Interesting times ahead
The prices for kits ..in my view are okay… The Mini kit going for $200 and $30/month unlimited 100mbs and above.
subscription fee is tough to beat…i have been riding on Liquid Telecom for many years… Their services are okay and very reliable but were pricey. The wibroniks outdoor kit used to be $450 but noticed yesterday its now selling at $250…
You wonder 🤔…why now all of a sudden the equipment prices are now going down…
Then the shipping is very much okay i was actually more worried on that area… ($30 round figure) Is sweet and do-able.
In my analysis. Many (that have been loyal customers) that have been using the big guys .. LIQUID, UTANDE….are most likely to switch to Starlink… So they(LIQUID & UTANDE have to reply within or around Starlink’s offerings or less….
Powertel..
i enquired about their fibre after they switched off simcards….guess what… They said internet (data) is free… you only buy speed….guess what… Or hell no no absurd…. prices start at $50 per 1mbs imagine….1mbs $50.
Africom..
They used to have unlimited internet for $50 a month at a 3mbs(when there is a good connection) but mostly was around 144kbs to 700kbs but they disabled the internet via simcards only voice is now available (can they compete with (econet, netOne, telecel) and having the need to have a CDMA network compatible device….they now offer fixed internet…at $50 per 5mbs. for the outdoor equipment you fork out $450… But their data packages some do not support WhatsApp imagine….kkkkkkkk i wonder 🤔
TelOne…
Last month as they anounced service is now available at Boka was at TelOne wanted the LTE BLAZE simcard….they told me the simcard is $2 but you must buy the router(s) starting at $89 going up to $240 plus a data plan(subscription). I didnt like the forced requirement to buy the router….i walked away..
Now Starlink is here. …. timboona
Now waiting to see how other ISPs will respond to the new player
Does the StarLink mini have fixed distances as the residential?
To us who never afforded optic fibre from Zol Telone Powertel 🥂, we will not afford Starlink either. We shall remain loyal to our Yomix bundle hustlers, a big SHOUT OUT to ONLINE INDUSTRIES
From what I can see, standard is the new Gen 3 dish.
I would like to get the mini how do I go about it.
How can I order it. Need help, I think the map will be good before purchase
Please do contact me on 0784309012
We are happy for this. Our local ISPs vachati bhuuuu!
Help, on checkout mine is defaulting to the standard kit when i want the option of the Mini kit.
It’s a welcome move but still very expensive for ordinary zimbabweans ,with the looks of it starlink might not be very useful in south africa
Wonderful news welcome Starlink!
At least internet in Zimbabwe will be cheap and with reasonable prices.
TechZim traffic right now 💰💵💵💵💵💵
Is mini standalone?
I think Starlink must do their research very well push further for the mini and probably simply alow one to have a billing account to use if they dont have any idea or plan for mobile use like LTE/Sim activation. In Africa we want mobile internet
Brilliant
Does Starlink have mabundles under $5 for us mere mortals or for when we we on the go.
I want to change my address to Zim from Malawi,is it now possible?if so how?
Only if your equipment is 3 months old on roaming yes you can change
If I order a mini using a town address will it work in the rural area
Yes it will work
What is the difference between the Starlink standard kit and the Starlink mini-kit. Despite the obvious, being the price, how exactly are these different?
I think you can travel with the mini, I think. What I know for certain is that the mini has a 50GB monthly cap, and then you start paying for each GB.
Mini is unlimited. They changed the data cap long back.
As far as I’m concerned this is expensive $50 a month where do people get that kind of money? I will stick with my old Internet instead
You are paying how much for your old internet and is it unlimited data
Now let’s create our own social networking site. We are all happy Starlink is here, what if we can leverage this opportunity to make money online.
So I’m say to those who believe in themselves that we can create our own social networking app, join me.
Yes our own Facebook or twitter like app.
👌
Learn from those who have gone before you, Ndeipi, Sasai, Talk Chart among others on the local front.
Google +, Threads, Truth Social, and the like on the global arena.
What do you have to offer that will convince people to come on your network? Why should users ditch their current networks? Answer those questions, and also how you will finance, and sustain the platform, then you are good to go!
Welcomed development
Starling the way to go
Glad it happened. More products on the market will normalise pricing. Whether you decide to use starlink or not ; you are definitely going to benefit from. It’s only going to get better
Vana museyamwa were killing us
* from this
This price ye 350 or 200 does it include duty or ZIMRA Ichazouyawo paside ichida zino?
Where. Is the approval from pottraz their silence is ominous
Just to note, on the mini, it has a 50GB monthly cap, making it a joke.
wrong. the zim package is unlimited deprioritized data at a slower speed.
other parts of the world have the 50GB monthly cap.
source: starlink.com
Great achievement, keep rolling and move fast.
I want to buy starlink kit what can I do. I don’t see link to purchase
Buy directly from their website
Good piece to read, the style of writing is refreshing. As a resident of a neighboring country (Sometimes known as KuvukiIand) I enjoy the journalism talents from the country of my birth. Exciting times indeed!
Maybe other network provides may reduce their tarriffs
Congatulations Zimbabwe!
I want to order a mini kit asap. My question is will it be safely delivered to my doorstep? What happens if it doesn’t get delivered? I don’t want to hear kuti yakabatirirwa paAirport or I need to pay funny duties or taxes!
Good news to Zimbabweans.
Security Source Zimbabwe will be leading in the installations. Be it your self bought kit, contact your reliable IoT solutions provider. Whatsapp +263 773 390 219
Considering these Zesa issues, what are the power requirements of the starlink dish? What size battery would one have to purchase as well to run it when Zesa is off.
I want it for use at my farm .however I can search on line for my location when I’m there as there is no Internet access.How do I ensure I get one for the farm.
This is awesome thank you starlink for making our life easier
Vanhu vanongoita kanzatu kanzatu ne next door and slit the bill. Just a wifi extender maybe needed zvapera.
Split
Vanhu vanongoita kanzatu kanzatu ne next door and split the bill. Just a wifi extender maybe needed zvapera.
Yesiah! Astalavista!
An email from Dandemutande today……”I hope this message finds you well.
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you – Starlink, the innovative satellite internet service, is now officially licensed in Zimbabwe! We are delighted to announce that Dandemutande Investments Pvt Ltd is an Authorized Reseller for Starlink services in the African region where Starlink provides services
Ini ndakatenga DStv 2012 handina kumborijusa, ndikatenga Philibao ndikarishandisa 2 minutes rikandibhowa, ndikatenga OpenView paMzansi 4 sho, ndikaritengesa, iye zvino kwava neStarLink🚀 iri chero kuritenga kuchatondinetsa🤣
fire!
Please clarify on the duty payments
Stanbic is failing to process the payment for this – The email from starlink gave me a week to pay, or I will llose my place in the queue. I have contacted Stanbic about it repeatedly – Initially, they said it was a known problem that their techs were working on, but now they say it’s being blocked by Starlink. A local authorised reseller only sells the equipment for the big packages.
This process seems very flawed and manipulated.
Use a different bank or just use Ecocash VCN
How about Omari
Starlink is now at capacity in Madokero and Avondale. Could you write an article about this and what it means and if there are any workarounds