Legal action threatened against Zimbabwe’s Starlink distributors amidst licensing ambiguity

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has given a strict warning to distributors and advertisers of Starlink Internet Services’ devices, stating that they could face arrest.

This development follows the discovery of several local companies marketing these devices, notably on Facebook, which is in direct contravention of the law. Various users have already installed numerous such devices.

An official from POTRAZ has confirmed impending law enforcement operations targeted at addressing these infractions.

The official underscored that Starlink is not yet licensed to operate in Zimbabwe, and anyone involved in advertising or using their services is exposing themselves to potential legal action.

“It’s not allowed to sell or use Starlink in Zimbabwe and police will be mounting raids and arrests soon,” the official stated. “All those advertising the gadgets are putting themselves at risk and they stand warned to stop selling and using them. We are seeing it and there is a need for proper processes.”

The official further emphasized that the utilization of unlicensed telecommunication services is strictly prohibited.

The service should wait for approval, the telecommunications process states that they must not interfere with other services. Their approval is very necessary so that we make sure there is no interference of frequencies.

Starlink is presently applying for a license, but it has not yet been granted. The official ended by disclosing that two individuals from Victoria Falls and Bulawayo have already been apprehended, and their cases are now being processed in court.