After waiting what felt like forever, you’ve finally scraped together all your ZiG, bond notes, and worn-out US dollar bills to jump onto the Starlink bandwagon. Imagine the frustration of finding out your payment won’t go through because of issues with your banking card. Thankfully, there are various ways to complete payments in Zimbabwe, such as using Virtual Card Numbers from O’mari (VCN currently free), Ecocash, or traditional Visa and Mastercards.
However, an even more daunting challenge you might face is the dreaded message:
“Starlink is at capacity in your area. Order now to reserve your Starlink. You will receive a notification once your Starlink is ready to ship.”
This signals that you may have to wait a bit longer, leaving you at the mercy of Zimbabwe’s familiar queuing system—but this time without the chance to expedite the process with a helpful security guard.
What Does Capacity Mean?
Starlink imposes limits on the number of devices that can connect in a specific area. This ensures that the users currently connected can enjoy stable and consistent service. While this restriction makes sense from a network management perspective, it can feel frustrating when you’ve been waiting so long for better internet in Zimbabwe.
If Starlink tells you they’re at capacity in your area, it means their network cannot accommodate any additional devices at that moment.
What To Do When Starlink Is At Capacity
If Starlink is at capacity in your area, here are a few ways to get around this hurdle:
1. Get on the Waiting List
Starlink offers a waiting list that requires a $50 deposit as of September 2024. Once you’re on the list, you’ll receive an email when they can connect you in your area. You’ll then need to pay the balance within seven days, or you’ll lose your place in the queue. It’s a good idea to secure your spot on this list early.
2. Upgrade to Roam or Business Plans
Starlink limits Residential, Residential Lite, and Mini Plan subscribers when capacity is reached. However, upgrading to plans like Fixed Priority or Mobile Roaming allows you to bypass this restriction. These plans start from $71/month and let you access the network, even in congested areas. Mobile Roaming, at $100/month, lets you move freely between congested zones, while Fixed Priority requires you to set up service first before using it elsewhere.
3. Order to a Different Area
When ordering a Starlink kit, you provide both a service address (where the kit will be used) and a shipping address. You can order the kit to be used at a different service address, like Gokwe, while having it shipped to Harare. While it won’t work in Harare right away, you can monitor availability and change the service address to your preferred location once capacity opens up.
4. Register at a Nearby Location
If your desired area is at capacity, consider registering the kit to a service address within 5 km that still has availability. For example, if Belmont, Bulawayo is at capacity, check availability in Bellevue. If available, you can register it there and use it in Belmont without issue.
5. Wait It Out
Although it’s the least exciting option, waiting until Starlink increases capacity is sometimes the best approach. As they expand, more users will be able to join in previously congested areas.
6. Congestion Charge
In some parts of the USA, Starlink is testing a congestion charge. This allows users to pay an additional fee—currently $100 in the US—for immediate access to a congested area. While this feature isn’t available in Zimbabwe yet, it’s something to keep an eye on, as it could provide a quick fix when implemented locally. Extrapolating from the US pricing, we could expect a charge of around $45-50 in Zimbabwe if introduced.
Conclusion
Navigating the challenges of Starlink availability in Zimbabwe may be frustrating, but with the right knowledge and approach, there are ways to bypass limitations. From using flexible payment methods to exploring different plans or addresses, persistence is key. Starlink is a transformative technology for Zimbabweans, offering a much-needed boost in reliable internet access.
By staying informed and keeping an eye on Starlink’s updates and capacity expansions, you can ensure that when your opportunity to connect arrives, you’ll be ready. And if you need advice or help navigating these options, don’t hesitate to reach out — I can guide you through the process and ensure you make the most of this revolutionary service.
35 comments
I’ve been testing out all suburbs in Bulawayo and all of them have capacity. Strange but true.
Pliz help mine is saying enter valid shipping address
I doubt you have tested and been in all the suburbs in Bulawayo you mean from the ghettos to the farms.
I don’t know how big they are, but Starlink uses service cells to decide up coverage. Cells at capacity in Harare don’t necessarily affect Cell capacity in Bulawayo. The trend is clear though. Between the incredible demand and migration of grey market accounts, you can’t rely on orders remaining open forever. If Starlink makes sense for you, go for it before you have to queue!
Asi you think I’m from Cowdray Park like you? If a ghetto is a surburb in your book; then you and I have nothing to talk about.
Starlink rotten egg, with all that tech, they should have put more LEO sats over Zim, to avoid congestion, what nonsense is this, congested in just 1 week, plan ahead Elon, don’t make people que for nonsense tech
😞 say you don’t get it without saying you don’t get it…
If you don’t get it, that’s your issue, not others
Only rupyaa nothing else
Pliz help mine is saying enter valid shipping address
Pliz help mine is saying enter valid shipping address
I played around, sometimes using caps, missing ‘Zimbabwe’ since it also appeared at the top somewhere. In the end it accepted.
I just want to appreciate you Techzim. You are top of your game. Keep it up
Thank you!
Does it mean you can access network on your Starlink within a 5km radius?
Whats the maximum capacity of users on a Starlink Satellite and on a LTE base station like liquid telecoms or Telone Blaze?????
The number shifts depending on usage, optimisations and new tech in kits and satellites, but the last number I heard for a Starlink service cell was around 250 or more. No idea about late towers.
Ewwhat radius does srarlink cover
The whole country, but that’s divided into smaller areas. These are just over 150 square kilometres.
So it means the device is geo locked so if you put another address far away from bare it will not work. Simple. Econet still wins apa. Smart biz to the people price to go down soon. Starlink will not even attempt hangu ndonzi 2 months ndaita pay after what they did for ma cyber trucks zviya . Itai imi Vanoda zvinu
This starlink is going to be more expensive thn smart biz $100 just to get in a congested network thts crazy
Even if it’s more expensive, if it works better for your purposes, it’s worth it. If not, yes Econet is waiting and will happily take your money
Well said!
Smartbiz yakalimiter speed,l am on getting at most 3mbps,worst at peak on weekends 900kbs
I have ordered and paid $ 350 for Standard Starlink 8 days ago and it is not even being shipped; for 8 days my account says ‘Status: Preparing Shipment’ and nothing is moving.
So Starlink is cashing the money, but not sending the equipment ….??!!
Last Friday I received my kits less than 14 days from AliEx . I made a second order for Standard kits on the same day, I just got a notification that it s now in Johannesburg facilities and may be on Tuesday it will be dropped at my House .
There is nothing like Congestion, just follow what the instructions say mainly from other people.
Watch us Zimbos bypass the congestion warning by ordering to the wrong address, then start complaining when service becomes cr*p as though we don’t know what we did😂
As frustrating as it is though, I have faith that the queue will move before Starlink even beefs up the constellation with upgraded satellites. Why? Because so many accounts are going to be taken down because of pirating! Whether it’s stupid kids or visiting relatives, someone won’t be able to resist all that juicy bandwidth!!!
I will join starlink once the noise has settled 🤣🤣. Meanwhile, Econet Pvt Wifi plus Telone Fibre I am good to go. Note that all new tech has it’s problems at first.
On Friday the September 13th, my area Mabelreign was at capacity and so I paid a deposit of $50 (standard kit) to reserve a spot .The following day I received an email to confirm my order and pay ($373 minus the deposit) for the kit. Now I am awaiting delivery.
Have you received your kit yet?,I paid on the 16th and est delivery period was 26-30,,,but as of 6 October,it’s still saying waiting for shipment
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Number 4 makes less sense from a technical perspective. I’m afraid this may throttle it’s speeds to those already enjoying the service well.
So i leave in Kuwadzana phase 3, can i sign up with Dzivarasekwa Extension since there is free space?
How long do you think it will take for the capacity to open up in zimbabwe
WILLIAM, upon checking the availability map on the starlink website it says ” EXPANDING Q3 2024 “. any idea what this means ???