Zambia Becomes Sixth African Nation to Access SpaceX’s Starlink Internet
SpaceX has officially launched its Starlink satellite internet service in Zambia, making it the sixth country in Africa to receive the high-speed, uncapped service. Residents can now place orders for their Starlink kits directly on the company’s website.
Starlink uses a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access to users around the world. The service is particularly well-suited for rural and underserved areas, where traditional internet infrastructure is often lacking.
Starlink is available in Zambia in limited areas, but the company plans to expand its coverage over the coming months. The service is priced at ZMW771 ($37) per month, with a one-time hardware cost of ZMW10,744 ($505).
Users who wish to use the Starlink service in other African countries will have to pay ZMW1,000 ($47) per month for regional roaming. Those who want to take their Starlink kit and use it on another continent must pay ZMW3,950 ($186).
In addition to the standard Starlink dish, SpaceX also offers a Flat High-Performance dish that is geared towards professional and business users with more demanding broadband requirements. The Flat High Performance dish is priced at ZMW50,133 ($2,355).
The launch of Starlink in Zambia is a significant development for the country’s internet infrastructure. According to the World Bank, only 44% of Zambians have access to the internet and those who do often face high costs and slow speeds.
Starlink could help bridge the digital divide and provide millions of Zambians with high-speed internet for the first time.
In addition to the benefits for consumers, Starlink could also have a positive impact on Zambia’s economy as the service could attract new businesses and investment to the country, and create jobs in the telecommunications sector.
The launch of Starlink in Zambia is part of a broader trend of SpaceX expanding its satellite internet service across Africa. In 2023, Starlink launched in Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Malawi. It is also scheduled to go live in Angola and Eswatini before the end of the year.
SOURCE:https://africa.businessinsider.com
