Starlink interest in Zimbabwe has grown especially with the announcement that it will be launching officially. We have therefore created this Tech Basics resource page for the Techzim community.
Hopefully, it’s helpful in making everything Starlink clearer. If you find you have a question not answered here, or just want to give us some feedback, please tell us on our email news@techzim.co.zw or WhatsApp customer support number: +263715068543.
Recent Starlink News
- The internet mysteriously went down during Kenyan protests, did Starlink provide refuge?
- Liquid introduces exciting new unlimited packages at impressive speeds
- Govt to expedite Starlink licensing after SpaceX moves launch date to 2025
- Your wishes are coming true, Potraz to license multiple operators to compete with Econet, TelOne etc
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a new internet service that uses satellites in space. The satellites work in pretty much the same way satellites for Dstv and OpenView work. The only difference is that instead of beaming TV, these Starlink satellites beam the internet down to earth. Because they’re in space, they can reach places where internet cables and base stations can’t go, just like OpenView.
In Zimbabwe, this means even people in remote areas can get high speed internet with Starlink. They just need to have a clear view of the sky.
In addition, in African countries where Starlink are licensed and active the monthly subscription is much cheaper than other local services, priced at less than US$30 in regional African countries. These figures are way less than what internet companies like Liquid, TelOne, Econet and NetOne charge for comparable packages. Starlink packages are also UNLIMITED, and have no known ‘FUP’ that they apply, all within that same package price. That’s why Zimbabweans are excited.
Starlink Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. According to the government. However it has not started operating.
No one knows for sure. In May, the Zimbabwean president announced that Starlink was now approved and the service would be provided through a local company called IMC. It is important to note that Starlink itself has not mentioned about this licensing. On its website, Starlink says service in Zimbabwe will start in third Quarter 2024, that is between 01 July and 30 September 2024.
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, they are grey market imports 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.
Even though the government Starlink is now licensed, it was done through one local company (IMC) that can exclusively sell Starlink locally. It is not clear therefore if it’s legal to have Starlink not bought from this company. You may be arrested if found with a kit.
That said, 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”
You pay about $38 currently and you do so directly to Starlink using a credit card or prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card.
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. It’s 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. Strarlink 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)
We have created a page dedicated to sharing Starlink Speedtest. You can find it here.