This weekend marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s internet landscape as thousands of Starlink kits find their way into homes and businesses across the country. DHL Zimbabwe reports an unprecedented surge in deliveries, with over 3,000 Starlink kits imported this past week alone, up from 2,000 the previous week. Our inbox is overflowing with unboxing videos and speed test results, painting a picture of a nation embracing a new era of connectivity.

Starlink Packages and Performance

Starlink Being Mounted in Ruwa

Starlink offers two main packages in Zimbabwe:

Residential: Priced at US$50/month, promising speeds up to 200 Mbps
Residential Lite: A more affordable option at US$30/month, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps

However, real-world results are exceeding expectations. The highest speed test we’ve received showcases a remarkable 320 Mbps download speed – a staggering 64 times faster than the often-unattainable speeds promised by TelOne’s ADSL broadband.

Upload speeds, while generally lower, are still impressive. A user in Ruwa, just outside Harare, recorded an upload speed of 39 Mbps. Even the lowest reported upload speed of 8 Mbps surpasses what most Zimbabweans have experienced with traditional providers.

Asymmetric Connections Explained

Starlink, like many internet services, provides asymmetric connections, meaning download speeds are typically higher than upload speeds. This design caters to the average home user who consumes more content than they create. For instance, streaming a movie involves downloading data, which is more common than uploading large files.

While the asymmetric nature might pose challenges for businesses with heavy upload requirements, it’s important to note that even Starlink’s lowest observed upload speeds significantly outperform most existing connections in Zimbabwe. Traditional ADSL connections, for example, rarely exceed 2 Mbps upload speeds.

DHL’s Logistical Challenge

Some customers had to collect their kits in person at the DHL facility in Harare

The surge in Starlink imports has presented unprecedented challenges for DHL Zimbabwe. The company has been inundated with deliveries and customer inquiries, many concerning the “shipment on hold” status that briefly caused anxiety among eager customers.

A DHL spokesperson clarified, “The ‘shipment on hold’ status is a standard part of our process, especially for bulk imports like we’re seeing with Starlink. We want to assure our customers that their packages are safe and will be delivered as quickly as possible.”

Global Context: Starlink’s Rapid Growth

Starlink’s success in Zimbabwe is part of a larger global phenomenon. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell recently announced that Starlink was expected to surpass 4 million subscribers worldwide this week. This milestone represents a remarkable growth rate, with the service gaining a million new customers since the end of May alone.

The constellation now comprises nearly 6,000 satellites, offering service in almost 100 countries to both individual users and large enterprise customers, including major airlines and cruise lines. Industry analysts project that Starlink is on track to generate $6.6 billion in revenue this year – a significant increase from $1.4 billion just two years ago.

Impact on Zimbabwe’s Internet Landscape

While exact figures for Starlink subscribers in Zimbabwe are not available, industry insiders estimate the number to be in the thousands and growing rapidly. The service’s arrival is already reshaping the competitive landscape, forcing local providers to reevaluate their offerings and pricing structures.

Tatenda Moyo, a telecommunications analyst, notes, “Starlink’s entry into Zimbabwe is a game-changer. We’re seeing speeds and reliability that were previously unimaginable for many Zimbabweans, especially in rural areas. This could have far-reaching implications for education, business, and overall economic development.”

Looking Ahead

As more Zimbabweans set up their Starlink kits this weekend, the true impact of this technology is beginning to unfold. From remote villages now connected to high-speed internet for the first time to urban professionals enjoying seamless video conferencing, the stories of transformation are numerous.

The coming weeks will be crucial as we monitor how local internet service providers respond to this new competition and how Starlink’s service performs as more users come online. One thing is clear: Zimbabwe’s internet landscape will never be the same.

Stay tuned to Zimpricecheck for ongoing coverage of this exciting development in Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure.