HARARE - The demand for Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, has surged in Zimbabwe, outstripping supply within weeks of its launch on September 7.
Traditional internet services in the country, known for being slow, unreliable, and prohibitively expensive, are being abandoned in favor of the high-speed satellite offering.
Business analyst Chris Muronzi noted that Starlink's rapid sell-out in urban centers like Harare reflects widespread dissatisfaction with local internet providers. 'Years of poor service, coupled with high costs, have driven many Zimbabweans to seek alternatives,' Muronzi said.
Starlink, a division of Musk's SpaceX, provides high-speed internet via low Earth orbit satellites, particularly catering to underserved regions. In Zimbabwe, the one-time cost of a Starlink kit is $350, with monthly charges starting at $50 for unlimited data. This has sparked intense interest among residents frustrated by the high costs and inefficiencies of traditional providers.
According to Muronzi, local operators have been forced to respond to Starlink's competitive pricing. 'Econet, for instance, introduced high-speed broadband at $45 per month, while smaller ISPs like Powertel dropped their unlimited data plans to $30. The competition is driving much-needed pricing adjustments in the market.'
While Starlink's pricing appeals to small businesses and middle-income households, the upfront costs remain a barrier for many in low-income communities. Most of the early adopters are affluent residents in Harare's northern suburbs, with technicians installing around 300 kits since the launch.
However, the service's rapid popularity has led to bottlenecks. Harare, Bulawayo, and other urban centers have reached capacity, leaving residents on waiting lists. 'Even if it means I will wait until January, I don't care. As long as it's not Econet, Telecel, or NetOne,' said network engineer Alois Kachere.
Despite these challenges, Starlink's impact is already evident in rural and underserved areas, where traditional infrastructure is lacking. Jacob Mtisi, CEO of ICT company Hamsole, emphasized that local operators must innovate to remain competitive. 'Operators need to improve service quality, invest in infrastructure, and consider partnerships with satellite providers,' Mtisi said, citing Liquid Intelligent Technologies' collaboration with Eutelsat as an example.
The arrival of Starlink is transforming Zimbabwe's telecommunications landscape, with potential to bridge the digital divide while challenging the dominance of local providers. 'The post-Starlink era is creating opportunities for small businesses and encouraging local operators to rethink their strategies,' Muronzi highlighted.
Amid the growing demand, Starlink has faced logistical hurdles, including reports of black-market sales and arrests for unauthorized kit distribution. Musk's team has pledged to expand capacity in dense urban areas, promising improvements in service availability.
For many Zimbabweans, Starlink represents a long-awaited solution to years of frustration with traditional internet services. As the market adjusts to this new player, both businesses and consumers stand to benefit from improved competition and connectivity.