Just days after its official launch in Zimbabwe, Starlink continues to shake up the local internet landscape with exciting new developments. The satellite internet provider has announced significant enhancements to its Roaming package, offering even more flexibility and value to users.

New Roaming Features

As of 11 September 2024, Starlink customers on the Roaming package can now enjoy the following perks:

In-Motion Use: Users can now access Starlink internet whilst travelling at speeds up to 160 km/h. This opens up new possibilities for mobile internet access, particularly for transportation services.
International Travel: Roaming customers can now use their Starlink service in other countries where Starlink is available, for up to two months per trip.
Coastal Coverage: The service now extends to territorial waters, again for up to two months per trip.

These additions come on top of existing Roaming features like countrywide coverage and the ability to pause and resume service as needed.

Implications for Zimbabwean Users

The new in-motion capability is particularly exciting for Zimbabwe. As we’ve previously discussed in our article “Starlink in Zimbabwe: How Many Can Afford It?”, the country’s internet infrastructure has long been a challenge, especially in rural areas. This new feature could be a game-changer for:

Passenger Transport: Bus and train operators can now offer high-speed internet to passengers throughout their journeys, even in remote areas.
Mobile Businesses: Professionals who travel frequently within Zimbabwe can maintain reliable internet connections on the go.
Emergency Services: Ambulances and other emergency vehicles could benefit from consistent communication capabilities.

The international travel feature is also significant. As noted in our earlier piece “No more middlemen, Starlink is US$30 per month in Zimbabwe”, many early Starlink adopters in Zimbabwe were using kits registered in neighbouring countries. This new feature legitimises and enhances that use case.

Ordering and Activating Starlink

For those interested in taking advantage of these new features, here’s a quick reminder on how to get started with Starlink:

Visit starlink.com/orders
Enter your service address
Choose your preferred package (Standard, Mini, or Roaming)
Provide payment details (including options for EcoCash users)
Complete your order

Once your equipment arrives, simply download the Starlink app and follow the setup instructions. For a more detailed guide, refer to our comprehensive article “Starlink in Zimbabwe: Your Questions Answered”.

It’s worth noting that, as we reported in “Breaking news: Starlink is no longer taking new orders for the Mini in Harare”, there has been incredibly high demand for Starlink services. Some packages may have limited availability in certain areas.

Pricing and Package Options

As of 11 September 2024, Starlink has revamped its package offerings in Zimbabwe. The new lineup includes:

Residential: US$50 per month (formerly Standard Package)
Residential Lite: US$30 per month (similar to the former Mini Package)
Roaming: US$100 per month

All packages offer unlimited data, but with different prioritisation levels during peak hours. The Roaming package, while the most expensive, now offers the most flexibility with its new features.

For businesses, Starlink has introduced tiered data packages ranging from US$71 to US$200 per month, offering priority speeds for specific data allocations.

Conclusion

Starlink’s rapid iteration and responsiveness to market needs is setting a new standard in Zimbabwe’s internet service industry. These enhancements to the Roaming package demonstrate the company’s commitment to providing flexible, high-quality internet access across diverse use cases.

As always, we recommend carefully considering your internet needs and budget when choosing an internet service provider. Starlink’s new offerings, particularly the enhanced Roaming package, provide compelling options for both individual users and businesses in Zimbabwe.

We’ll continue to monitor developments in Zimbabwe’s internet landscape and provide updates as they occur. For those considering Starlink, now might be an opportune time to explore your options, given the high demand we’ve seen since the service’s official launch.

Stay tuned to Zimpricecheck for the latest updates on Starlink and other internet service providers in Zimbabwe.