Starlink, SpaceX’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, has officially launched in Botswana, making it the sixth Southern African country to host the service, following Zimbabwe.
This development comes after a year-long regulatory struggle, which included a rejected application in February 2024 and a ban on the use and sale of Starlink kits in the country two weeks later.
However, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) granted Starlink an operating license in May 2024, following a meeting between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and SpaceX executives in Dallas, Texas, leading to Starlink’s license approval.
President Masisi stated in a statement that Starlink services are expected to roll out in the country soon, offering connectivity to farmers and people in remote areas where traditional fixed broadband is unavailable.
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Additionally, the license aims to improve connectivity in the country, where high data prices persist despite an internet penetration rate of 87%.
Starlink’s launch in Botswana marks a significant milestone, as the country joins Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar in accessing the satellite internet service. The company’s entry into the market is expected to bridge the connectivity gap, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Residents can purchase Starlink hardware for P4,820 ($363), with shipping costs set at P314 ($24) and a monthly subscription fee of P688 ($52).
This launch positions Starlink as a disruptor in Botswana’s internet service provider (ISP) market, which has long been dominated by major mobile network operators, including BTC, Mascom Orange, and other broadband providers, including Nashua and OPQ.
In related news, Starlink has announced plans to begin operations in Ghana by the end of August 2024 and has introduced a rental plan in Kenya to make its equipment more accessible. The company has also updated its availability map to include Ghana and Botswana, where its services are now available.
