Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Zimbabwe! 🛰️🇿🇼❤️ → starlink.com/zw/map VIDEO
Starlink Launches in Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe – September 7, 2024
By Dorrothy Moyo | ZimEye | Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, has officially launched in Zimbabwe. The global availability map on Starlink’s website was updated late Friday night, confirming that the service is now live in Zimbabwe. This long-anticipated launch brings new internet options to Zimbabweans, who can now purchase Starlink service directly from the company’s website or from local authorized resellers.
The service’s arrival is seen as a significant development in a country where internet prices have been high, and availability has been limited by existing providers. The launch in Zimbabwe follows closely after Starlink’s recent rollout in neighboring Botswana earlier this week.
Starlink Pricing in Zimbabwe
According to the Starlink website, the standard kit is priced at USD 350, while the Starlink Mini kit is available for USD 200. The monthly subscription fee for the basic residential unlimited data package is USD 50, whereas the Starlink Mini package costs USD 30 per month. Frampol has been announced as a local authorized partner for Starlink in Zimbabwe.
How Starlink Works
Starlink provides internet access via satellite, requiring users to install a dish that must have a clear view of the sky, similar to a DStv dish. The service is available in any location with an unobstructed view of the sky, making it ideal for areas where traditional network coverage is limited.
Subscriptions can be paid online using a prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card, or through local authorized resellers. The service offers unlimited data, which is particularly advantageous for families, small businesses, schools, mines, farms, and tourism destinations in remote areas.
Competitive Landscape
The arrival of Starlink has prompted established internet providers in Zimbabwe to revise their prices and packages. Econet, the country’s largest mobile internet provider, has introduced an LTE unlimited data service for USD 45 per month, while other providers like Utande, Liquid, TelOne, Powertel, and Telco have launched promotional packages to stay competitive.
Additional Information and Delivery Details
Starlink has confirmed that service in Zimbabwe went live just before midnight on September 6, 2024. Users in the country can expect download speeds of up to 200 Mbps, a significant improvement over current offerings by local internet providers.
While the exact version of the Starlink kits to be rolled out in Zimbabwe is still unknown, customers can choose between the standard kit and the mini kit. Delivery of the Starlink equipment to Zimbabwean customers will be managed by a courier, although the specific partner for local deliveries has yet to be announced.
A deposit of USD 50 is required to reserve the service, with the remaining balance payable upon confirmation of the order. The company has also indicated that due to capacity constraints in some areas, it may take additional time to ship the devices to customers in those regions.
As Zimbabweans celebrate the arrival of this new internet service, many will be watching closely to see how the local market adapts to Starlink’s competitive pricing and the impact it will have on internet accessibility across the country.- ZimEye