THE government has defended the entry of satellite internet provider Starlink into Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector, arguing that increased competition is key to expanding connectivity and supporting the country’s ambition to become a digitally driven economy by 2030.
During a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, Witness Jonga asked whether Zimbabwe’s growing population and mobile phone usage required more service providers to improve access to affordable internet and mobile services.
Jonga noted that while Zimbabwe’s population had surpassed 15 million according to the 2022 census, only a few major operators — Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, NetOne, and Telecel—were serving millions of subscribers, with Telecel reportedly struggling to remain competitive.
Responding to the concerns, ICT minister Tatenda Mavetera said the government’s focus was not necessarily on increasing the number of telecom companies, but on widening access to connectivity through infrastructure expansion and new technologies.
She said the licensing of Starlink formed part of broader efforts to open up the telecommunications sector and improve internet access, particularly in underserved rural communities.
“It is not an issue of adding more companies, but as a government, we do not have a problem with having several players in that particular industry,” she said.
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Mavetera said the government was working with operators, including TelOne, NetOne and Econet, on broadband mapping initiatives to identify areas with poor network coverage.
The minister also revealed the government was implementing a “tower relocation” programme funded through the Universal Services Fund administered by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, aimed at redistributing telecommunications infrastructure from overserviced urban areas to marginalised communities.
However, the debate shifted to concerns over affordability, with legislators warning that Starlink services remained beyond the reach of many ordinary Zimbabweans.
Spencer Tshuma said citizens reported sharp increases in Starlink subscription costs, with some packages allegedly rising from around US$65 to more than US$100.
Tshuma also questioned why Zimbabweans continued relying on foreign-owned internet services while local currency payment systems remained limited.
In response, Mavetera acknowledged concerns over rising internet costs but said increased competition was already forcing local providers to reduce tariffs.
Without directly naming companies, she pointed to reductions in tariffs by a player following Starlink’s entry into the market.
The minister said Starlink now offered different subscription packages, including lower-cost options for users with varying data needs.
Mavetera also linked affordable internet access to Zimbabwe’s ambitions to adopt artificial intelligence technologies, warning that high data costs could undermine efforts to modernise the economy.
The discussion later expanded into concerns over data sovereignty and the country’s dependence on foreign technology companies.
Judith Tobaiwa challenged the government to explain the measures being implemented to ensure universities and tertiary institutions develop local technological solutions instead of relying heavily on external providers.
In response, Mavetera said the government was encouraging local innovation through hackathons, ideathons, and the recently launched National AI Strategy.
She said the strategy included an “AI Grand Challenge” designed to support Zimbabwean innovators and students in developing home-grown digital solutions through government-backed funding and incubation initiatives.
“We do not want to be consumers, we want to be producers,” she said.