Starlink interest in Zimbabwe has grown especially with the announcement that it will be launching officially in September 2024. We have therefore created this Tech Basics resource page as a guide for everything Starlink.
If you have a question not answered here, or useful infromation you think we should include, just email news@techzim.co.zw or WhatsApp us on: +263715068543.
Recent Starlink News
- Starlink: How To Reserve, Purchase, Register and Activate Your Kit in Zimbabwe
- Econet SmartBiz – Why It’s Popular, Package Prices, Where to Buy, and Starlink Comparison
- Starlink Goes Live in Botswana, Pricing Details
- Starlink Targeting 1 September Launch In Zimbabwe
- No Company Has Starlink Exclusivity In Zimbabwe… IMC Has No Agreement With Starlink… Has No POTRAZ License
- The internet mysteriously went down during Kenyan protests, did Starlink provide refuge?
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a new internet service that uses satellites top provide internet. The satellites work in pretty much the same way satellites for Dstv and OpenView work – that is, they can reach anywhere you are.
In Zimbabwe, this means even people in remote areas can get high speed internet with Starlink. They just need a clear view of the sky: farmers, remote schools, mines, holiday resorts, rural homesteaders, religious groups…
Outside universal coverage, the other attraction is price. Starlink subscriptions are currently less than US$30 a month for unlimited usage. This is way lower than what established internet providers charge in Zimbabwe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starlink
No yet. As of 26 August, the telecoms regulator stated that Starlink has not yet been approved to operate in Zimbabwe.
No one knows for sure. However, latest information indicate it may be start operating in September 2024. On its website, Starlink says service in Zimbabwe will start in third Quarter 2024, that is between 01 July and 30 September 2024.
Once Starlink is officially available in Zimbabwe, customers will pay:
– between US $30 and $50 a month subscription for unlimited internet
– about US $350 for a Starlink kit
Payments are made using a credit card or prepaid Zimbabwean Visa or Mastercard debit card.
There are different Generations of Starlink. The most accessible version in Africa right now is the Generation 2 Standard actuated model. This device retails for approx US$300-350 in African countries where Starlink is licensed to sell.
The Gen 3 model, which is a new version, and more flat than the Gen 2 is not being actively sold in Africa as of July 2024. This device is sold for US$599 in USA, Canada, UK and Australia. Starlink often run promotions on the kit and drop the prices to as little as $399.
As the Gen 3 is not being sold by Starlink in Africa, there are grey market importers that retail them from between $1,200 – $1,700.
Yes it is. However it’s not legal yet to be using the service. If caught, users of the service risk being arrested.
Currently (26 August 2024) Starlink kits are not available legally in the country.
However, kits are available on the black market (Facebook and such) and can also be bought from neighbouring countries like Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
Right now, if you buy and use a kit, you will be subscribing for the roaming service, which Starlink calls “Mobile Regional”
From what we can see is neighbouring countries like Zambia, the the monthly subscription is $38 for unlimited internet at 50mbps, once Starlink starts operating.
It is hard to say, but it might happen. Starlink charges different prices throughout the world. Its most expensive in the USA where the monthly subscription is $120 and cheaper in Africa and Asia where ranges from about $36 to $100.
You heard right. It’s the roaming price that will increase. It will now be about $100
No. Starlink does not use a SIM card. You just need the kit.
– The Terminal itself, which is the thing that acts like a satellite dish
– Stand, which the ‘satellite dish’ is mounted on
– Router, which is the one inside the house giving out the local WiFi signal
– Starlink Cable, a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cable
– Power Cable for the router.
Every company providing internet, such as:
– Liquid
– Telco
– Powertel
– Utande
– TelOne
– NetOne
– Econet
– Telecel
Starlink internet speed in Zimbabwe
The Starlink internet speed will generally vary between 25Mbps and 100Mbps depending on conditions. This is more than enough for general use – downloading stuff, streaming, email. You can pretty much do anything. Still it’s slower than fibre internet.
With 25Mbps speed you can download:
- a 10 song music album in about 16 seconds.
- a high definition movie within 5 minutes.
- a 25 megabytes pdf book in about 8 seconds
Generally, uploading things (like uploading a YouTube video) will take longer than downloading (like watching a YouTube video)