JAKARTA - After Indonesia now Zimbabwe's telecommunications regulator has also granted operating permits to Starlink, SpaceX's satellite unit, to operate in the southern African state. Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Munangagwa announced this decision on Saturday, May 25.
"The decision will result in the spread of high-speed LEO (low-Earth-orbit) internet infrastructure at low costs throughout Zimbabwe, especially in all rural areas," Munangagwa said in a statement.
Munangagwa added that Starlink will provide services through its only and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications.
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According to a World Bank 2021 report, only 34.8% of Zimbabwe's population has access to the internet. Internet services in the country are dominated by three major cellular network operators.
Approval to Starlink comes amid a government crackdown on unregistered users smuggling Starlink devices from neighboring countries such as Zambia.
Starlink is currently officially offered in various African countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi. Last month, Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment at the country's entry port because the service provider did not yet have an official permit.
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