CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia has not engaged Elon Musk’s Starlink on the possibility of offering internet services in the country. This follows news that Mozambique and Zambia have come the first countries in Southern Africa to licence Elon Musk’s Starlink company.
Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Audrin Mathe said Musk has not approached Namibia over Starlink services.
“We have not approached him and he has not approached us,” said Mathe. The Namibian government owns interest in both Telecom Namibia and MTC Namibia.
Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati said the government has issued a network license for internet data, necessitating Starlink to launch its low orbit satellite internet services in Zambia.
The service is expected to cost K800 (N$764) – K1000 (N$956) per month with a K8000 (N$7,649) -K12000 (N$11,474) installation fee. Internet speeds are expected to reach up to 500 Mbps at its peak
Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema held talks with representatives from billionaire, Elon Musk’s Starlink company in New York in September last year on possibilities of connecting the country to fast internet services through the SpaceX satellite.
“We are confident that following the unveiling of Starlink low orbit satellite internet connectivity in Zambia, the remotest corners of our nation will have access to this enormous too used in connectivity. This is because it will not only overcome limitations of traditional terrestrial infrastructure but also deliver high speed, reliable internet connectivity to areas previously deemed inaccessible,” said Mutati.
The Starlink Network is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth on – orbit operations to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming and leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware.
The Zambian government has given Starlink a license to provide internet services in Zambia after successful pilot projects dotted across the country.The primary objective of Starlink is to provide low-cost internet to remote locations.
South African IT publication, My Broadband reported that SpaceX’s Starlink is now officially available in Mozambique, the first of South Africa’s neighbours to start supporting the service.
The Starlink website allows residents of the country to order their kit and have it shipped to their address for delivery starting around the second half of June 2023.
Customers must pay N$14,765 for the Starlink kit and N$903.13 for the monthly subscription fee.
Although Starlink is not officially available in South Africa yet, it works through its optional roaming services.
Tests conducted by MyBroadband and several ISPs have shown Starlink can easily achieve between 150–200Mbps download speeds, and upload speeds over 50Mbps.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa says SpaceX has yet to apply for the necessary telecoms licences to operate as an ISP in South Africa, My Broadband said.
Any ISPs in South Africa must have 30% ownership held by previously disadvantaged groups, including black people, women, and the youth.
