Starlink now available in Eswatini

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, operational since 2018, recently expanded its reach to Eswatini, a small southern African country. Starlink’s expansion into Eswatini marks its emergence in the 8th country and 10th overall market in Africa where the service is now available.

The aim of Starlink is to provide high-speed internet service to regions where the traditional internet infrastructure is deficient or absent.

Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, has a population of slightly over 1 million. The country’s internet access was limited in the past, with only 8.4% of the populace connected to the internet in 2019. This lack of connectivity has negatively impacted economic growth and hindered access to vital information and services for residents.

The entrance of Starlink into Eswatini could potentially revolutionize this scenario. Starlink provides high-speed internet via a network of satellites in low Earth orbit. Consequently, even remote areas can now have access to quick and reliable internet, without the dependence on traditional infrastructure like fibre optic cables.

One significant advantage of Starlink is its low latency—the measure of the time taken for data to travel from a user’s device to the internet server and back. Traditional satellite internet often struggles with high latency, which can cause lags and slow internet speeds.

However, Starlink’s low latency makes it optimal for real-time online activities such as gaming and video conferencing.

Certainly, introducing Starlink in Eswatini does come with some hurdles. Cost stands as a prominent challenge. Currently, Starlink’s satellite internet service is relatively pricey, possibly making it unaffordable for certain individuals and organizations.

However, with continual advancements in technology and its broader availability, there are expectations of a future price drop.

The introduction of Starlink in Eswatini marks a significant step forward. By providing faster and more reliable internet, the nation stands a chance to explore new opportunities and enhance the well-being of its citizens. As SpaceX carries on expanding its services globally, it will be intriguing to observe the effect it has on other nations and regions with restricted internet access.