The arrival of Elon Musk’s Starlink in Zimbabwe heralds a transformative era in the nation’s digital landscape. However, for residents of Harare eager to access its high-speed satellite internet, the reality is somewhat frustrating.
The service has been marked as "Oversubscribed," and that has resulted in Starlink to change its status in Harare from “Available Now” to “Expanding Q3 2024.” This means that there are currently more interested customers than the service can accommodate.
Residents in Harare hoping to connect to Starlink will need to exercise patience as they wait for the company to expand its capacity. This expansion involves adding more satellites and improving technology to meet the high demand, especially in urban areas, which Starlink has acknowledged are not its primary focus. Traditionally, the service is better suited for rural regions where laying traditional infrastructure is cost-prohibitive.
The rest of Zimbabwe, however, remains open for new Starlink customers, and many areas are still able to enjoy the benefits of this cutting-edge service.
Regional Challenges
Harare is not alone in facing these challenges. Other capital cities in Africa, such as Lusaka, Nairobi, and Lagos, are also grappling with oversubscription issues. In Nigeria, cities like Abuja and Kano are similarly at capacity, leading to long waitlists that could extend into 2025 for some customers.
Alternatives for Harare Residents
For those in Harare who are keen on obtaining reliable internet access, exploring alternatives may be the best course of action. While some may have previously considered the Business package, it now serves merely as a reservation rather than a guarantee of service.
An option exists to order Starlink service for a different region and utilize their $100 monthly Roam package. However, users should be aware that their experience in Harare may not match the speeds seen in less populated areas. Reports are surfacing of slow internet speeds among those currently using the service in Harare, raising questions about its viability in the city.
Moreover, there are established Internet Service Providers (ISPs) available locally in Harare, that could offer competitive pricing. Services from Netone, Econet, TelOne, Utande, Powertel, and Liquid might provide more immediate solutions for residents looking for reliable connectivity temporarily for now.
While Starlink’s entry into Zimbabwe is undoubtedly a game-changer, the current oversubscription issue highlights the importance of patience and careful consideration for people in Harare. The company has expressed intentions to improve its technology to meet urban demand, but for now, alternatives may provide an immediate solution. Additionally, some users attempting to switch their Starlink service location to Harare have reported errors indicating that the service is not available in the city. This further emphasizes the growing pains associated with a service in expansion mode.
Despite the challenges in Harare, the broader implications of Starlink’s introduction to Zimbabwe are significant. It promises to enhance competition in the country’s digital space, potentially leading to lower data costs and improved services across the board.
Whilst for now, reisdents in Harare may be facing some immediate and temporary frustrations with Starlink’s availability, the long-term prospects for improved connectivity across Zimbabwe remain bright. For now, it may be wise to explore existing Starlink alternative options.
