On Friday, October 25, 2024, reports showed that Zimbabwe’s internet market is changing quickly with the arrival of Starlink, the high-speed satellite internet service from Elon Musk. Local internet service providers (ISPs) are cutting prices to compete with Starlink’s offerings.
Starlink provides internet through a network of satellites and has quickly become popular in Zimbabwe. Just two months after launching in early September 2024, the company’s terminals sold out in Harare after receiving regulatory approval in May 2024. This rapid growth is similar to what Starlink experienced in Nigeria, where it also sold out in major cities like Lagos and Abuja.
Many Zimbabwean consumers are now ordering directly from Starlink’s website, bypassing local resellers who used to charge high prices for the kits. In response to Starlink’s arrival, Zimbabwean ISPs are reducing their prices to keep their customers.
Starlink’s advantage is its ability to provide fast and reliable internet to areas that traditional ISPs have struggled to reach. This new competition threatens to change the market, as Starlink’s services offer a strong alternative to existing options.
Zimbabwe’s internet market has been dominated by a few major players, but the launch of Starlink introduces new competition. With its ability to deliver high-speed internet even in remote areas, Starlink appeals to consumers who are frustrated with the unreliable service from traditional providers.
Since SpaceX began launching its satellites in 2019, the company has changed the broadband landscape. Starlink’s success in Zimbabwe is part of a broader trend in Africa, where many people still lack access to dependable internet.
While Starlink is not yet available in neighboring South Africa, Elon Musk has mentioned that they are “waiting for regulatory approval” to expand there. If launched, Starlink could significantly improve the telecommunications landscape in Southern Africa.
For the people of Zimbabwe, Starlink’s arrival represents a new chapter in connectivity, offering a much-needed alternative to traditional ISPs and sparking price competition that benefits consumers. As Starlink expands its operations, the wider impact on the region’s digital transformation will be exciting to watch.
