The honeymoon period for unofficial Starlink users in Zimbabwe appears to be ending, as the company has begun enforcing its 60-day roaming restrictions. Users are receiving notification emails informing them that their service will be restricted due to extended use outside their registered country.

Here’s the official notice being sent to affected users:

Your Starlink has been restricted for active use outside of your account country for greater than the 60 days included with your “Roam Unlimited” service plan.

To resume service, please return your Starlink to the country in which your service was ordered.

This development comes at an interesting time, as Starlink has recently launched official services in Zimbabwe but is experiencing capacity constraints in major urban areas, particularly around Harare where the service is now marked as “Sold Out.”

Options for Affected Users

1. Switch to Official Zimbabwean Service

Residential Plan: US$50/month (up to 200 Mbps)
Residential Lite: US$30/month (up to 100 Mbps)
Both options are more affordable than previous roaming costs (US$60-100)

2. Reset Roaming Status

Physically take equipment to original registration country
Reactivate service and restart 60-day roaming period
Popular destination countries include Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique

3. Purchase Official Roaming Package

Available for US$100/month
Allows usage beyond 5km home radius
No 60-day restriction for Zimbabwe-registered devices

4. Business Solutions

Available through authorized resellers like Aura
Offers priority data during business hours
Higher cost but better service guarantees

Current Service Status

The enforcement coincides with Starlink reaching capacity in several areas around Harare, including:

Norton
Ruwa
Chitungwiza
Dema
Mazowe
Nyabira

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my unofficial roaming service definitely be cut off?
A: Yes, if you’ve been using the service outside your registration country for over 60 days.

Q: Can I keep using my existing kit with a new Zimbabwean subscription?
A: Yes, you can transfer your equipment to an official Zimbabwean service plan.

Q: Does the 60-day restriction apply to official Zimbabwe subscribers?
A: No, it only applies to devices registered in other countries being used in Zimbabwe.

Q: What happens when service is restricted?
A: You’ll only have access to Starlink-approved websites for account management until service is reactivated.

Conclusion

The enforcement of roaming restrictions marks a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s Starlink landscape. While it may cause temporary disruption for unofficial users, the availability of official, more affordable local packages provides a clear path forward. Users are advised to transition to official services or explore alternative solutions based on their specific needs and circumstances.

For those affected by these changes, the priority should be planning the transition to ensure minimal service interruption. Whether choosing to switch to official Zimbabwean packages or maintaining roaming service through proper channels, users now have several legitimate options to maintain their high-speed internet connectivity.