Starlink, the satellite internet service, has begun disconnecting customers in Zimbabwe who were using its Roam Service with kits registered in neighboring countries. Following the acquisition of its license in Zimbabwe, Starlink provided these users with a 60-day grace period to switch their services to local addresses. However, many subscribers are facing difficulties due to payment issues and a lack of capacity in Harare.
Currently, affected users are left with limited options. They can upgrade to the more expensive Starlink Business package, but must do so through authorized resellers, TelOne and Aura, who are charging significantly higher prices than Starlink's direct subscription rates. For instance, while Starlink charges $71 a month, TelOne's rate is $115, and Aura's is $104. This markup has raised questions about the fairness of pricing in a market already grappling with high internet costs.
Furthermore, Aura imposes a $150 transfer fee to legalize kits, citing regulatory fees as the reason for this additional charge. This situation raises concerns about whether Starlink's pricing is subject to the same regulations as other internet services in Zimbabwe, especially since resellers are simply facilitating subscriptions rather than providing the underlying infrastructure.
With Harare's capacity already sold out, customers are urged to act quickly to transfer their Starlink kits or purchase new ones to avoid further complications as demand continues to rise.