The battle for Zimbabwean internet subscribers is heating up, with a new front opening: credit. Utande, a prominent and officially authorised Starlink reseller in Zimbabwe, is now offering Starlink Kits on credit. This announcement follows Starlink’s own introduction of instalment plans, highlighting a clear industry shift towards affordability and accessibility.

Utande’s Credit Offer: A Lifeline for Harare and Bulawayo Residents

This news is particularly significant for potential Starlink users in Harare and and until recently Bulawayo. Both cities are currently experiencing “Starlink oversaturation.” This means that Starlink’s network capacity is maxed out, and direct orders for new residential accounts are, regrettably, not being accepted.

The only route to Starlink in these cities has been through resellers offering business-oriented “Priority” data packages. These packages are significantly more expensive, placing Starlink out of reach for many. Crucially, until now, acquiring these business packages meant paying the full kit price upfront. Utande’s credit offer changes this landscape dramatically.

By providing financing options for Starlink kits, Utande immediately gains a substantial competitive advantage over other resellers. For Harare and Bulawayo residents desperate for reliable, high-speed internet but unable to order directly from Starlink or afford a full cash purchase, Utande’s offer represents a much-needed lifeline.

Details of Utande’s Instalment Plan: What We Know

While the complete specifics of Utande’s credit offering are still being revealed, initial marketing materials provide some key details:

• Instalments: Initial figures suggest Starlink may be accessible from Utande for prices as low as US$56.00 per month on a 12-month plan.
• Faster Speeds: Promotional material boasts potential speeds of up to 220 Mbps with low latency as we discussed in an earlier article priority packages tend to receive more speeds compared to normal packages

Important Caveat: It is crucial to understand that Utande’s credit offer applies to Starlink’s “Priority” or business packages sold through Utande. These packages offer dedicated bandwidth and higher data allowances, but come at a premium price compared to residential plans. The “US$56” figure only represent the hardware instalment and not the cost of the total monthly data subscription. Customers should confirm the total monthly cost, including both hardware and data, before committing.

Starlink’s Own Instalment Plans

Before Utande’s announcement, Starlink themselves paved the way for credit-based access with instalment plans for the Starlink Mini kit. These plans remain a crucial point of comparison when evaluating offers.

• Outright Purchase: US$223 upfront (US$200 for the Mini Kit + US$23 handling).
• Six-Month Instalment Plan: US$25 per month for the hardware, plus the chosen service plan (US$30/month for Residential Lite or US$50/month for Residential). Total monthly cost is US$55 or US$75, respectively.
• Nine-Month Instalment Plan: US$16.67 per month for the hardware, plus the service plan (US$30 or US$50). Total monthly cost is US$46.67 or US$66.67, respectively.

A US$73 deposit is required regardless of the selected plan.

Starlink’s direct offering targets residential users and the lower-cost Starlink Mini kit. It’s important to recognize this distinction when comparing it to Utande’s business-focused credit offer.

A Strategic Power Play by Starlink

Starlink’s decision to introduce instalment plans is undoubtedly strategic. By lowering the initial financial barrier to entry, they are making Starlink accessible to a wider audience. This move puts significant pressure on existing ISPs.

Ordering from Utande (Credit or Cash):

• Contact Utande Directly: Call (+263 8612 000 000) or email Utande for detailed information on their credit terms, eligible service plans, and total monthly costs. Enquire about any deposit required.
• Payment Method: Confirm accepted payment methods and instalment schedules with Utande representatives.
• Service Agreement: Thoroughly review the service agreement and data usage policies before committing.

Key Considerations: Starlink Availability

The deal from Utande only makes sense if you are living in either Harare or to a lesser extend Bulawayo. Utande’s business packages are intended for business customers or if you have no options individuals who live in locations where Starlink residential is currently marked as at capacity. If you live in other areas you can just use Starlink’s own credit facility which offers better terms and cheaper residential packages.