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Zvamaida Murwira

Senior Reporter

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has banned the sale and distribution of Starlink kits by unlicensed service providers.

This comes as the Government moves to regulate the sale of end-user kits from the global satellite-based internet service provider.

The ban follows the issuance of a licence to Starlink, which has since gone live, as Zimbabwe joins a select group of African countries using high-speed, low-cost broadband internet services.

In a statement, Potraz director general, Dr Gift Machengete said those who will sell the kits should not only be cleared by his organisation, but should be holders of licences for that purpose.

He said the clearance and licensing framework applies to both new and existing internet service providers and network operators.

“This Licence-stack authorises Starlink to provide Internet Services throughout Zimbabwe using the Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Constellation. In

providing Internet Services in Zimbabwe, Starlink is engaging Agencies, including established Network Operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for the distribution of User Terminals (kits) and as appropriate, the provision of managed end-user services,” he said.

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“It is a condition of the Starlink Licences that such Agencies, Dealers and ISPs shall be subject to clearance by POTRAZ. This condition applies to both existing and prospective ISPs and Network Operators. The sale or distribution of Starlink User Terminals without appropriate licensing and clearance is, therefore, an offence punishable by law.”

Dr Machengete said Potraz issued two licences to Starlink Zimbabwe on September 6, 2024 namely the Telecommunication Licence for Network Services and the Internet Services Provider (National) Licence.

“Meanwhile, POTRAZ is convinced that the addition of the LEO Technology layer onto the Zimbabwean ecosystem of Network Technologies will enhance ubiquitous and meaningful broadband connectivity throughout Zimbabwe. Connecting the unconnected and bridging the digital divide remain key priorities for Zimbabwe as we journey towards vision 2030,” he said.

The entry of Starlink into the country’s digital space will help significantly reduce the cost of internet and digital services in Zimbabwe in the era of digital technology and e-commerce, which now define how the global community interacts and conducts business efficiently and in real-time.

Starlink is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite operator wholly-owned by global conglomerate Space X, led by prominent multi-billionaire Elon Musk.

It’s coming on board will act as a significant milestone aimed at revolutionising the digital and communications technology landscape in Zimbabwe.

The huge investment has been touted as of strategic importance as it represents the cornerstone for achieving the Second Republic’s objective of having a fully digitalised, upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

Starlink is officially offered in a few African nations, including Nigeria, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zambia, Madagascar and Malawi among other countries.