Latest news with #MiniKit
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
How much is Elon Musk's Starlink in Zimbabwe? Here's the real cost
Elon Musk's Starlink is now available in Zimbabwe, and it's already turning heads with promises of faster, more reliable internet, especially in areas where mobile networks and fibre have failed to deliver. But before you start imagining Netflix with no buffering and Zoom calls with zero glitches, you probably want to know: how much is this thing going to cost you? To get started with Starlink, you'll need a satellite internet kit, and there are two options currently available in Zimbabwe: This is the more affordable and portable option. Installments: $50 (R885.20) deposit + $16.67 (R295.13)/month for 9 months OR $50 (R885.20) deposit + $25 (R442.52)/month for 9 months Total paid over time: $200 (R3 540.82) Upfront option: $200 (R3 540.82) once-off $200 (R3 540.82) once-off Shipping: $23 (R407.11) (delivers anywhere in Zimbabwe) This is the full-sized kit with higher performance. Upfront only: $389 (R6 883.43) $389 (R6 883.43) Shipping: $23 (R407.11) According to TechZim , if you're opting for the Mini Kit and paying in full, you're looking at $223 (R3947.28) total. If you go for the Standard Kit, your total cost will be $412 (R7 295.00). The key difference between the Mini and Standard kits lies in speed and capacity. The Mini Kit offers speeds of up to 100Mbps , more than enough for everyday browsing, streaming, and solo work-from-home setups. offers speeds of , more than enough for everyday browsing, streaming, and solo work-from-home setups. The Standard Kit delivers up to 300Mbps or more, making it better for families, heavy streamers, or anyone sharing the connection with multiple users. Once you've purchased your Starlink kit, you'll need to subscribe to one of the internet packages. Zimbabwe currently offers two main options Package Price in dollars Price in Rands Residential $50/month R885.27/month Residential Lite $30/month R531.16/month Both come with unlimited data, but here's the catch: During busy periods, like evenings or weekends, users on the Lite plan may experience slower speeds, as Starlink gives priority to Residential subscribers. Outside of peak times, both plans usually perform the same, according to Tech Zim . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Elon Musk's Starlink goes live in another African country
Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, is now officially available in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh launch in West Africa. Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, is now available in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh launch in West Africa. The service received full regulatory approval from Guinea-Bissau's ARN-TIC in April, following a provisional license granted in December 2024. Guinea-Bissau faces significant internet access challenges, with 67.5% of the population offline and relying on traditional providers Orange and Telecel. Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, is now officially available in Guinea-Bissau, marking its seventh launch in West Africa. In April, Guinea-Bissau's National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) granted formal approval for Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, to begin operations in the country. Starlink had previously received a provisional license in December 2024, and with full regulatory clearance now secured, the company is finalizing administrative steps ahead of a nationwide rollout. Internet access remains a major challenge in Guinea-Bissau, where an estimated 67.5% of the population is offline. The country has traditionally relied on just two major providers, Orange and Telecel, which recently absorbed MTN's local operations. Both operators use fibre infrastructure routed through Senegal and Guinea-Conakry, but connectivity is often unreliable due to frequent service disruptions. Starlink aims to change that. The company will offer its Standard Kit for $400, with a residential service plan priced at $63 per month. Customers opting for a 250 GB residential data plan will pay a reduced monthly fee of $31. A more affordable Starlink Mini Kit will also be available nationwide for $205. Starlink's expansion into Guinea-Bissau is part of a larger push to close Africa's digital divide. Despite being home to 1.3 billion people, the continent has the world's lowest internet penetration rate, with only about 40% of the population online. So far this year, Starlink has gained operational licenses in countries like Somalia and Lesotho, and it's already live in Liberia and Niger. However, the company still faces regulatory hurdles in some markets. Notably, Starlink has yet to launch in South Africa, the continent's most advanced economy, despite its growing presence in neighbouring nations.
