Bulawayo is now also running out of Starlink residential capacity. The company’s availability map has been updated to show that Bulawayo is sold out. Like Harare there’s no indication of when Starlink will have more capacity to take on more new subscribers.
Unlike Harare where Starlink capacity ran out in high density suburbs first, the first places to fill up in Bulawayo are the low density areas. According to the map, here are the places that have run out so far in Bulawayo:
- City Centre
- Ascot
- Khumalo
- Selborne Park
- Burnside
- Bradfield
- Ilanda
- Riverside
- Hillside
- Fourwinds
- Montrose
- Suburbs
- Killarney
- Matsheumhlope
- Sunninghill
- Parklands
- Belmont
- Hume Park
- Famona
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To be clear, only Residential capacity has run out. This means those seeking the standard residential package ($30 and $50) will be unable to order at this time. But one can still subscribe for the Business packages but those are more expensive, starting at $71.
The high density areas, except for part of Makokoba, have not been affected yet. Our guess though is that even these areas will fill up pretty soon.
What to do if Starlink has sold out in your area
People that want Starlink even though it has run out in their area will need to go for the Business package. But they’ll need to do this quite early because even that can run out.
When Starlink eventually stops selling the business packages on its site, one will have to approach the Authorised Resellers, but these companies’ prices are quite high. That $71 package is actually priced at $115 a month.
When will there be more capacity for new customers?
This is a hard one, because currently no one knows. Starlink used to show an estimate time but not anymore.
Our guess is that it will happen some time in the first half of 2025. This is based on previous trends and Starlink’s typical rollout timelines. But even this is a wild guess because it’s not like the company is just working to expand capacity for Africa alone.
If it’s any consolation, the SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has acknowledged that demand in Africa has exceeded what Starlink can manage currently, but that his company is working to increase capacity. He however still didn’t give any indication of when.
Can I register my Starlink in an area that still has capacity but then use it in a “sold out” area?
No. You cannot. Starlink can only be used within a few km of it registered address. So if you’re within, say, 3 – 5km, it could work.
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