Starlink Terminals Sell Out in Zimbabwe, Driving ISP Price Cuts

BREAKING NEWSOctober 28, 2024 at 11:47 AM UTC

TLDR

Starlink's internet terminals in Harare, Zimbabwe, sold out quickly after regulatory approval, following high demand.
Starlink shortages are also experienced in five Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
The entry of Starlink in Zimbabwe and Nigeria has led to reduced rates from local internet providers and collapsed secondary markets.

Elon Musk’s Starlink has sold out its internet terminals in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, less than two months after receiving regulatory approval to operate in the country.

Harare joins five Nigerian cities — Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri — where the service is unavailable for new orders due to high demand, according to Starlink’s website. Zimbabwe and Nigeria are the only African nations experiencing such Starlink shortages.

Demand surged following Starlink’s entry in September, with customers ordering terminals directly from its website, bypassing street markets that previously sold kits at marked-up prices. The secondary market has since collapsed, and local internet service providers are reducing rates to compete.

Key Takeaways

Starlink’s high-speed, satellite-powered broadband has a growing presence in Africa, driven by demand in underserved areas. The success in Zimbabwe and Nigeria highlights a new model of direct-to-consumer connectivity, pressuring local internet providers to adjust. Starlink’s network of 5,500 satellites enables broad global access, part of SpaceX’s push to reach remote regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is scarce.

Zimbabwe

Starlink

Internet

Connectivity

Smartphone Penetration

Satellite Internet