SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites in 2019. As of early January 2024, it consists of over 5,289 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit that communicate with designated ground transceivers. Currently, the company has launched its satellites in 6 African countries which include, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, and Zambia.
The Starlink was set to launch in Zimbabwe last year in 2023, however, according to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), the company has not gone under proper procedures to license their product.
Although Starlink has yet to be licensed by the telecom regulator, many individuals and businesses have since advertised and distributed the Internet service kits, particularly on social media platforms, including Facebook. Starlink is currently banned in Zimbabwe because the country prohibits unlicensed telecommunications. The regulator insists that Starlink wait for permission and follow proper telecommunications processes before starting operations; otherwise, it will disrupt other services. Therefore any person who advertises the gadgets is placing themselves at risk, and they are advised to stop selling and using them.
Zimbabwe is not the only country that banned Starlink from providing internet services in its country. On August 14th, 2023, South Africa banned the import of Starlink kits. South Africa’s telecommunications regulator demanded that a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) stop acquiring, distributing, and facilitating the sale of any Starlink products in South Africa, that will in any form provide satellite access to Starlink services. The ban is due to a legal requirement imposed by the Electronics Communications Act (ECA). This act mandates that historically disadvantaged groups (HDGs) must own 30% of a company before it can get the necessary telecoms licenses to operate a broadband service locally.
According to H-Metro, two arrests have already been made in Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, their cases are currently in court.
