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Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]

THE official launch of global network provider, Starlink, in Zimbabwe has excited many, with experts suggesting it presents an opportunity for internet service providers (ISPs) to start collaborating as the SpaceX product begins to hit the market.

Over the weekend, Starlink’s billionaire founder, Mr Elon Musk, confirmed the activation of the service on his X handle. 

“Starlink now available in Zimbabwe!” he said. 

It is believed the service will revolutionise internet access, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas. 

President Mnangagwa, in May, approved the licensing of Starlink by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), as part of efforts to deepen the digital economy, bridge the digital divide, and deliver on the promise to “leave no one and no place behind”. 

Innovation, science, and technology, he said, are among the top strategic pillars that underpin the Second Republic’s developmental agenda under Vision 2030. 

The service, which relies on a constellation of low-orbit satellites, is reportedly capable of download speeds ranging from 50 megabits per second (Mbps) to 200Mbps, with latency of between 20 milliseconds and 40 milliseconds, a substantial improvement from the many existing internet options in the country.

The cheapest hardware package costs US$223, including shipping, and the internet service costs US$30 a month. The top-end unlimited package costs US$373 for the hardware and US$50 monthly.

There have been questions about how the service will work, whether there are intermediaries in terms of payment, and how accessible it is to the ordinary Zimbabwean. 

Mr Willard Shoko, a Bulawayo-based Starlink research and high-speed Internet consultant, said there are no intermediaries in terms of monthly subscriptions.

“In terms of the monthly subscription, the user pays directly to Starlink, not to any third party or intermediary. As long as one has a Visa Card or EcoCash and that US$30, you pay directly to Starlink. So, there is no reason for the packages to increase,” said Mr Shoko.

He said prices for the kits will remain the same, as everything will be delivered to a person’s doorstep.

“There is a price for the hardware, the monthly subscription, and the handling and shipping fee, which is US$223. There are taxes and everything in that price is a one-off,” said Mr Shoko. 

“So, what Starlink has done is pay all the duties and charges to DHL when you purchase the kit. When you input your address into Starlink’s system and pay for the kit and handling fees, it will be delivered to your doorstep.”

Mr Shoko said Starlink is continually innovating to make the kits more affordable for everyone.

“Starlink innovates, and you find that the dishes they have now are cheaper than the ones they used to have. Earlier, there were those that rotated, and now they don’t, especially the mini dish. It no longer comes with a portable Wi-Fi router; instead, it is integrated into the dish,” said Mr Shoko. 

“Starlink used to subsidise their kits because it was expensive to produce them. But now there is a huge facility in Bastrop, Texas, where they produce over 90 000 kits per week, and they are expanding that facility. They are also working on Starship, a reusable rocket that launches their Starlink satellites into space.”

Mr Shoko said the reason why data prices in Zimbabwe were high was because ISPs are not working together. 

“In other countries, there is what is called infrastructure sharing, and Starlink operates on that model. Starlink gets its internet from Liquid in Nigeria. 

“Their architecture is based on working with other entities, which helps them make their prices cheaper,” he explained. 

“What we need now is for local players to start working together in infrastructure sharing.”

Mr Shoko said the arrival of Starlink presents a good opportunity for local ISPs. 

“How Starlink works is that when you have your Starlink terminal, it communicates with satellites in space, and then it communicates with your ground station. The ground station is like the one in Mazowe, the only one that Starlink has in southern Africa is in Nigeria. 

“When we have a ground station in Zimbabwe, local ISPs can provide internet for Starlink. Then, the people of Zimbabwe and the region will benefit,” said Mr Shoko.

He noted that major ISPs have started to reduce their tariffs and introduce cheaper packages since Starlink has gone live in Zimbabwe.

ICT expert, Mr Robert Ndlovu, who runs Wozatel, said he has started installing Starlink kits in rural areas.

He said the SpaceX product offers tremendous possibilities, especially for the education of rural children.

“Starlink has the potential to transform the lives of rural communities and schoolchildren by providing reliable internet access, opening up new educational and economic opportunities, and enhancing connectivity,” said Mr Ndlovu. 

“There is a community in Matopos where we are going this week to install a Starlink satellite and system. This will not only benefit the person who bought it but also the whole community.”

Mr Ndlovu said with high-speed internet, students in rural areas can access a wealth of online educational resources, including e-learning platforms, interactive tutorials, and educational videos, enhancing their learning experience. 

“The advantage of Starlink is that it can facilitate remote learning opportunities, allowing students to participate in virtual classrooms, access live lessons, and collaborate with peers and teachers from other locations, bridging the educational divide,” he said. 

“Government departments and offices, no matter how remote they are, can stay connected to better serve the people. So, this is what we are doing as a company that provides support in terms of installation of Starlink kits and also setting up networks for those who want to use the internet,” said Mr Ndlovu. — Follow on X @bonganinkunzi