As Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema – HH announced that he had struck a deal that will see high speed satellite Internet services extended to Zambia by US firm Starlink, however – questions have arisen as to whether the deal also took care of the service access cost and monthly subscription charges which are reported to be a premium service above the average earnings of the majority of Zambians.
A check by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT reveals that Starlink is on an Africa penetration drive with its services set for start in Nigeria and Mozambique in 2022. Starlink has also confirmed that it is setting up shop in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Mali and Niger in 2023, time that has now also been indicated for Zambia.
What is troubling most analysts is the affordability of Starlink Services. Americans pay $110 (about K1,600) per month for subscribing to its fast internet services, a price point which in Zambia may only complete in the local and multinational Corporates business market.
In Nigeria, during its pilot launch phase, the US firm started with connection fee of $99 with monthly subscription expected to be at $100 per month, a price point which even some well to do Nigerians have indicated is too high for the African market. It remains to be seen if the Zambia deal has some sweeteners that will make the service.
However, the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) says it will support government’s vision of providing high speed internet to all citizens. Zambia currently has Airtel and Paratus among the top ISPs who provide internet service providers and these companies will need to go head to head with Starlink for the local and international Corporates market share.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ICTAZ President Clement Sinyangwe said there must be intentional strategies put in place to ensure the right professionals are equipped with the training, skills and infrastructure to adopt new technologies.
Sinyangwe mentioned that Zambia is on track to achieving the goals of becoming a digital economy and that the local ICT sector is up to the task. “Zambia currently has trained ICT professionals that contribute in various sectors of the economy on a daily basis”, he said.
“We welcome the pronouncement made on introducing high-speed internet to the entire country by means of the Starlink services because this will see the expansion of internet service provision and contribute to the general growth of the economy.”
This follows HH meeting with Starlink Business Operations vice-president Chad Gibbs. During the meeting, partnership possibilities for high speed internet in Zambia was discussed with the President highlighting Zambias Government’s intention to adopt technologies that will enhance revenue collection by eliminating manual processes.
The President indicated that full digitalisation of services would require universal internet to ensure that all concerns around revenue leakages and inefficiencies in service delivery to be a thing of the past. In a tweet, SpaceX founder and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said he looks forward to providing the Starlink service to the people of Zambia. Starlink has so far gotten regulatory approvals for its operations in Nigeria and Mozambique.
