Starlink now available in Zimbabwe

Starlink has officially listed Zimbabwe as one of the countries that you can now enjoy its internet services. In May, Innovation Village reported that Zimbabwe’s telecom regulator, the Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink, allowing SpaceX’s satellite internet service to operate within the country.

Starlink made the announcement via its “X” page over the weekend.

According to the Starlink website, the standard hardware is $350 while the mini is $200. The monthly service is $50 for the standard service and $30 for the mini service. The service is being offered through its exclusive local partner, IMC Communications.

Zimbabwe joins 12 other African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya that have hooked up to the service.

The introduction of Starlink in Zimbabwe is likely to have significant impacts on the internet services landscape. Starlink, known for its high-speed satellite internet, could provide much-needed connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved areas where existing internet providers, like Econet, struggle with infrastructure challenges. Starlink’s services can bridge the digital divide, boosting sectors such as education, e-commerce, and the creative industry by offering faster, more reliable internet.

The arrival of Starlink presents significant challenges for local internet providers in Zimbabwe. For example, Econet, the leading telecom and mobile financial services provider (through EcoCash), could face heightened competition. Unlike traditional telecom services, Starlink’s satellite-based internet bypasses the need for existing infrastructure, potentially pressuring Econet to lower its prices or introduce new innovations to maintain its market share. However, despite this competitive landscape, Econet’s deep-rooted presence in Zimbabwe’s financial and telecom sectors may provide it with a competitive edge, enabling it to sustain its dominant position.