Since its launch in Zimbabwe around September last year, Starlink has become a game-changer, offering high-speed internet via satellite technology. With a couple of residential packages and resellers offering business-oriented plans, deciding which Starlink package is best suited to your needs can be tricky. Let us take a look.

The company offers two main internet packages to residential users in Zimbabwe. The first is the Residential Package, which is priced at US$50 per month and promises speeds of up to 200 Mbps (megabits per second). The second is the Residential Lite Package, which goes for US$30 per month and offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Resellers, who also offer support, often muddy the waters by including their own fees which means they tend to be more expensive.

Starlink resellers in Zimbabwe offer Business packages, with the entry-level package priced at around US$110 for 1 TB (Terabyte) of priority data during peak hours, expect to pay around US$160. Some might include their own fees

So, which package should you select if you are seeking to make the most of Starlink’s internet services? The answer, as always, is that it depends.

Reality Versus the Sales Pitch

Let us first consider the actual needs of most home users. If you are like the majority of internet users, you are probably a relatively light user. You likely spend time on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Despite the perception that these platforms consume a lot of data, the reality is that your internet usage will seldom exceed 20 Mbps per second when using them, depending on your settings.

Services like Netflix (depending on your streaming settings and the device you are using) can be more data-intensive. However, even when streaming in HD (1080p), a typical home user would likely use far less than 30GB per day unless streaming content non-stop.

If you are a typical home user, the US$30 Residential Lite package should be more than adequate. Most users will find this package perfectly satisfactory, making an upgrade to the US$50 Residential package an unnecessary expense. We recommend starting with the Residential Lite package unless you encounter issues and genuinely need to upgrade.

In many cases, users will find that the Residential Lite package exceeds expectations. Although Starlink advertises speeds of up to 100 Mbps, users often experience much higher speeds. It is not uncommon to see Starlink users on the Residential Lite package achieving speeds as high as 350 Mbps, even during peak hours.

Priority: What Does it Really Mean?

This leads us to the critical concept of priority. It is important to remember that there is more than just speed limits. The analogy often used when dealing with issues like priority is that of traffic robots (traffic lights). Imagine numerous Starlink internet users simultaneously accessing various online services. For simplicity, consider three users all attempting to open their Facebook pages at the same time. One is on the Residential Lite package, another on the Residential Package, and the third on the Business Priority package.

When all three users type facebook.com into their browsers and click “go” at the same instance, which user is served first? If you consider each internet request as a car and the Starlink infrastructure as a junction, the first car allowed to pass through would be the one from the business priority package, followed by the residential package, with the residential lite package last.

When traffic is light, this difference is barely noticeable. However, during peak hours, when many users are online simultaneously, these delays become apparent. Imagine instead of three cars, there are 200 cars from each package. Those in the residential lite cars might feel they are waiting forever at the junction while business priority clients are allowed to pass through first. The result is a degraded experience.

So, what are the implications of priority?

• If you live in congested areas like Harare, where there are many other Starlink users, and you want a seamless experience during peak hours, consider upgrading to the Residential package. However, only do so if your real-life experience indicates that the Residential Lite package is consistently providing a substandard experience that you cannot tolerate. In rural or remote areas outside urban centres, the improvement may not be significant.
• If you run a business that relies on Starlink during business hours in a city like Harare or Bulawayo, the business priority package is the better option. Despite some misconceptions, this does not mean your data is capped at 1TB. You still have an uncapped connection; however, only your first 1TB of data receives preferential treatment during peak hours. Once that is exhausted, you will experience the same delays as other users at the junction.

In light of this discussion, choosing the best package for you involves considering:

• Your budget
• Your location.
• Your needs.
• How much congestion there is in your location?
• Availability for areas like Harare and Bulawayo only business packages are available for new users.

Other considerations when choosing a package

You will also want to take into consideration Starlink’s terms and conditions. If you have taken Starlink packages, you are expected to use it at your registered address or within a short distance of there. You might need to change your address if you want to move it for example to Bulawayo. This might come into play when choosing which is package is best for you.

FAQs About Starlink in Zimbabwe

Q: What is the difference between Standard data and Priority data?

A: Standard data is the regular, uncapped data that comes with all Starlink packages. Priority data receives preferential treatment during peak hours, ensuring faster speeds and a better experience when the network is congested.

Q: Is the Residential Lite package truly unlimited?

A: Yes, both the Residential Lite and Residential packages offer unlimited standard data.

Q: What happens when I exhaust my Priority data allowance on a Business package?

A: Once your Priority data is used up, you will revert to Standard data for the remainder of the month. You will still have unlimited access, but without the preferential treatment during peak hours.

Q: Can I use the Residential package for my business?

A: While technically possible, the Residential package is intended for home use. For reliable performance during business hours, especially in congested areas, the Business Priority package is recommended.

Q: How do I upgrade my Starlink package?

A: You can upgrade your package through your Starlink account online. The process is usually straightforward, and the changes take effect immediately.

Q: What speeds can I expect with the Starlink Residential packages?

A: While Starlink advertises speeds of up to 100 Mbps for the Residential Lite and 200 Mbps for the Residential, actual speeds can vary depending on your location, network congestion, and other factors. Many users experience speeds that exceed these advertised figures.