Zimbabwe’s telecom authority, POTRAZ, is intensifying efforts to curb the unauthorised distribution and advertising of Starlink Internet services.
The regulator, in collaboration with the police, is set to conduct a nationwide raid, beginning in Harare and extending across the country. Despite lacking approval from POTRAZ, there’s been a surge in the promotion of Starlink kits on social media platforms.
Two individuals have already been apprehended in Vic Falls and Bulawayo, awaiting legal proceedings in Zimbabwe.
POTRAZ explicitly declares the sale or use of Starlink services anywhere in the country as illegal, emphasising their intent to enforce this regulation through the upcoming raid. The regulator warns that individuals advertising these gadgets are putting themselves at risk and advises them to cease such activities.
The backdrop to this crackdown is Zimbabwe’s insistence that Starlink must wait for official licensing and adhere to proper telecommunications processes before commencing operations. Operating without approval could lead to frequent clashes with other operators, potentially disrupting existing services.
This regulatory stance aligns with a broader trend in Africa, as Ghana’s National Communication Authority (NCA) also declared the sales, service, and use of Starlink illegal in December 2023.
Despite these challenges, Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite Internet system, has found success in several African countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi.
Starlink, which initiated satellite launches for its Internet service in 2019, has global coverage in over 60 countries.
The company anticipates introducing a text-only mobile phone service this year, with voice and data offerings slated for 2025.
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