Is Starlink available in Zimbabwe in 2026?

Starlink availability in Zimbabwe in 2026 

In an era where internet connectivity determines economic participation, educational opportunity, and business growth, the arrival of Starlink in Zimbabwe has been hailed as a transformative development. Many Zimbabweans have asked: Is Starlink really available here in 2026? And if it is offered, what would the pricing be? The short answer is yes — Starlink is available in Zimbabwe, but with important nuances in terms of availability, pricing, and how you can actually purchase and use the service.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• The current status of Starlink availability in Zimbabwe

• Detailed pricing for hardware and monthly plans

• Regional differences and capacity issues

• Tips on how to order and set up Starlink

• The future outlook of satellite internet in Zimbabwe

What Is Starlink? Quick Overview

Starlink is a satellite internet service launched by SpaceX — Elon Musk’s aerospace company — with the goal of providing high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and underserved regions around the world. Unlike traditional broadband, Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver internet directly to user terminals (dishes) no matter how rural the location is.

This has made it especially appealing in African countries where wired internet infrastructure is limited or unreliable.

Starlink Launch in Zimbabwe: When and How It Happened

Starlink’s official entry into Zimbabwe began in September 2024, when the service was licensed by Zimbabwe’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) and opened for residential orders from the company’s website.

This made Zimbabwe one of the few African nations where satellite broadband is officially available for everyday consumers. However, since the initial launch, the rollout has seen fluctuations in capacity and availability depending on location.

Is Starlink Available Across All of Zimbabwe in 2026?

Yes — but with important conditions.

Nationwide Availability

Starlink is licensed nationwide and formally available for ordering through starlink.com. You can place an order online using your Zimbabwean address, and the service will be active where capacity is available.

However:

• In high-demand urban centers like Harare and parts of Bulawayo, residential Starlink kits often show as “sold out” or “at capacity” when ordering directly online.

• In rural or less congested areas, the service remains open for new orders and people have successfully placed orders directly through the Starlink website.

So although Starlink is officially available in Zimbabwe as of 2026, your ability to buy a residential kit may depend on your specific location and the network capacity at the time you place the order.

Starlink Pricing in Zimbabwe (2026)

Pricing for Starlink in Zimbabwe generally breaks down into two components:

1. Hardware cost (one-time) — this is the cost of the Starlink user terminal (dish) and installation hardware.

2. Monthly subscription (ongoing) — the service plan you choose that determines your speed and data.

Let’s break these down in detail.

1. Hardware Cost — Initial Setup Price

There are currently two major hardware options for residential users in Zimbabwe:

Starlink Mini Kit

• Designed for basic residential use

• Offers speeds typically suitable for light to moderate internet needs

• Hardware cost around US$200 (plus delivery fee) when available directly from Starlink’s online service portal.

In some regions, installment plans have been offered that allow you to pay for the Mini Kit over several months with no interest. For example:

• US$25/month over 6 months

• US$16.67/month over 9 months

• Plus an initial deposit and delivery fee (around US$50 + US$23)

This made the initial cost much more accessible for many Zimbabweans.

Starlink Standard Kit

• Offers higher performance and faster speeds

• Hardware cost around US$350 when purchased directly from Starlink’s website.

Important Note on Activation Charges:
In some high-demand areas that are not fully sold out, Starlink may charge an activation fee (e.g., around US$50 or more). This can increase the effective total hardware cost.

2. Monthly Subscription Prices

Starlink offers unlimited data with different plan tiers:

Residential Lite / Mini Plan

• Around US$30 per month

• Best for households with modest internet usage in areas where this plan is supported.

Standard Residential Plan

• Around US$50 per month

• Provides faster speeds and stronger performance for homes and small offices.

Some sources also mention a small government regulatory fee (e.g., US$5 per month) added on top of the subscription cost — this can vary depending on local policy changes.

How Pricing Can Vary Regionally

Starlink’s availability and pricing in Zimbabwe is not completely uniform across the country:

High-Demand Areas

In cities like:

• Harare

• Bulawayo

• Some surrounding towns

Starlink machinery often shows “at capacity,” meaning new residential customers can’t complete orders online directly.

In these areas:

• Direct residential kits may not be available

• Authorized resellers may offer Starlink via business or priority plans — usually at higher hardware and subscription costs than the standard residential packages.

Low-Demand or Rural Areas

In less congested regions outside of major cities, people are more likely to find:

• Starlink Mini kits available

• Lower activation fees or even waived activation charges

• Ability to order directly and start service quickly

This creates a two-tiered situation where availability and pricing depend on local demand and satellite capacity.

Comparison: Direct Orders vs Authorized Resellers

Direct Orders from Starlink Website

• Typically cheaper hardware and subscription

• No middleman markup

• You pay directly in USD using a credit/debit card or supported payment method (e.g., virtual card via EcoCash)

Pros:

• Lower cost

• Official support and warranty

Cons:

• Availability can be limited in busy urban centers

Authorized Local Resellers

Companies like TelOne, Aura Group, and others have permission to sell Starlink kits and plans within Zimbabwe.

Pros:

• May have stock even when direct orders are marked “sold out”

• Local support and assistance

Cons:

• Hardware and subscription usually cost more

• Often business or priority plans with data caps or higher fees

Tips on Ordering Starlink in Zimbabwe (2026)

If you’re looking to get Starlink service in Zimbabwe, here’s how you can maximize your chances:

1. Check Availability on starlink.com

Starlink’s website lets you enter your exact service address and see if kits are currently available in your area.

2. Prepare Your Payment Method

Starlink accepts:

• Visa or Mastercard

• Virtual cards via EcoCash or similar services

Having funds ready and validated speeds up the order process, especially since some regions limit checkout times.

3. Consider the Installment Option (when available)

Installments have previously been offered for the Mini Kit — but these offers can change. It’s worth checking if they’re currently active when you order.

4. Look at Rural Delivery if City Options Are Sold Out

Sometimes moving your service address just outside a sold-out area lets you place an order directly — then you can place the dish where needed.

Common Challenges and What They Mean

Even though the service exists, some challenges remain:

Sold-Out Urban Capacity

High demand quickly outpaced initial Starlink capacity in Harare and parts of Bulawayo.
This doesn’t mean the service is gone — it often means Starlink is prioritizing existing subscribers and needs to expand capacity.

Regulatory Fees

Local regulatory costs can add a small premium to monthly pricing (e.g., US$5 monthly).

Reseller Markups

Buying through resellers often costs more than direct purchase, especially for business or priority plans.

Is Starlink Worth It in Zimbabwe in 2026?

Starlink’s arrival in Zimbabwe is a significant leap forward for internet access in the country — especially for rural users and professionals who need reliable connectivity.

Advantages

• Satellite internet with wide coverage

• Plans starting at ~~US$30/month

• A credible alternative where other ISPs lag

Considerations

• Price is higher than some local alternatives

• Availability varies by location

• Resellers may charge premiums

Despite these challenges, Starlink continues to be the best option for consistent, high-speed internet in many parts of Zimbabwe, particularly where fiber or reliable mobile broadband is unavailable.

Starlink in Zimbabwe (2026)

Yes — Starlink is officially available in Zimbabwe in 2026, but the story isn’t as simple as “everyone can buy it anywhere.” Here’s the summary:

Starlink is licensed and operating in Zimbabwe.
Residential packages start at around US$30–$50 per month.
Hardware costs range from about US$200 (Mini) to US$350+ (Standard) and may include delivery and activation fees.
In urban high-demand areas, kits may be temporarily unavailable directly through the website.
Authorized resellers offer an alternative, but usually at higher prices.

For many Zimbabweans, Starlink represents a breakthrough in connectivity — and although availability can fluctuate, the promise of high-speed satellite internet remains strong in 2026 and beyond.