KEY POINTS
- IMC Communications has been awarded an ISP license to resell Starlink services.
- Starlink aims to provide faster and more affordable internet across Zimbabwe.
- The move supports Zimbabwe’s tech-driven growth strategy.
In a major step towards becoming an authorised reseller of Starlink services in Zimbabwe, IMC Communications has been granted an internet service provider (ISP) licence by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
IMC Communications partners with Starlink as an approved reseller
Elon Musk, the U.S. billionaire, owns Starlink, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband provider, which Potraz recently announced it had formally licensed. It is anticipated that Starlink’s foray into Zimbabwe’s ICT (information and communication technology) market will lower the cost of internet and digital services, which are essential for social connectivity and business operations in the current digital economy.
This action aligns with the Zimbabwean government’s overarching plan to promote innovation and growth powered by technology. The importance of science, technology, and innovation in advancing the nation’s development objectives has been underlined by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on numerous occasions. The government hopes to foster technological developments that will boost economic growth using cutting-edge technology.
It is anticipated that Starlink’s satellite internet service, which provides quicker, less expensive, and more dependable internet connectivity, will completely transform Zimbabwe’s digital environment. Its low Earth orbit satellite network offers continuous service, which is especially helpful for underserved and isolated locations where internet connectivity has been inconsistent or scarce.
Zimbabwe’s digital landscape set for transformation under new technology
According to experts, the launch of Starlink’s satellite technology may fundamentally alter Zimbabwe’s data services operations going forward. Better access to digital services will be made possible by Starlink, which will be essential in fostering inclusion, tying together rural areas, and enabling more Zimbabweans to take part in the nation’s expanding digital economy.
Other businesses, including TelOne, Frampol, and Dandemutande, have also been permitted to offer Starlink services in Zimbabwe in addition to IMC Communications. It is anticipated that this heightened competition would improve service delivery and substantially down the cost of internet services nationwide, Newsday reported.
