By James Gwati, ZimEye- The launch of satellite internet service Starlink in Zimbabwe has disrupted the country’s digital landscape, leaving traditional providers like Econet and NetOne scrambling to adjust their offerings.

The new entrant has brought fierce competition, forcing local network providers to rethink their strategies as they struggle to keep up with Starlink’s cutting-edge Technology.

Zimbabwe is now the 14th African country to welcome Starlink, joining recent additions like Botswana, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone. 

Starlink’s arrival comes with options that could reshape how Zimbabweans access the internet.

Subscribers who haven’t already imported their own kits from Starlink-supported regions can purchase a standard dish and router for $350 (R6,248). 

Alternatively, the portable Mini dish, which has a built-in router, is available for a more affordable $200 (R3,570)—significantly cheaper than the $599 (R10,693) price tag in the US.

Starlink’s portability is another game-changer. 

With devices that work seamlessly while on the move, even at speeds over 100 km/h, users can enjoy top-tier internet performance anywhere in the country. 

Shipping to Harare is reasonably priced at $23 (R410), and the regular residential subscription costs $50 per month (about R893), in line with neighboring countries’ fees.

Key Starlink features:

• Portable enough to fit on a car dashboard.
• Delivers world-class speeds of up to 100 Mbps on the go, even in remote areas.
• A game changer for industries like innovation, farming, education, and development.

As Starlink continues to win over Zimbabwe’s netizens, local internet providers are feeling the heat, sparking what could be the beginning of a new era in Zimbabwe’s digital evolution

-ZimEye.