By The government of Zimbabwe has instructed Starlink Internet Services to shut down its operations in the country. The users have received an email from the service provider advising them it had been directed to disable the services.
The email said, “You are currently using Starlink in an unauthorized territory and, as a result, have been directed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to disable your service”
“We will continue to work with POTRAZ to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to turn on Starlink services in Zimbabwe as soon as possible. We encourage you to contact POTRAZ at [email protected] or +263 242 333032 to communicate your support for Starlink to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals in Zimbabwe”.
“As described in your Terms of Service, Starlink does not guarantee when or where its Mobile or Mobile Priority Services Plans will be available. The use of such services is dependent on many factors, including obtaining or maintaining the necessary regulatory approvals which are subject to change”.
“You may pause service and billing by following the Instructions here or continue service and use your Starlink service in an area we currently serve (see map here), If you opt to pause service, you can reach out to support and we will issue a service credit for any remainder of the current billing period”
“As soon as we receive regulatory approvals to turn on Starlink service in Zimbabwe, we will let you know”.
Potraz boss Dr. Gift Machengete said, “As the regulator, we want them to follow the prerequisites of the law laid down so that they operate legally. For now, it is not yet regularized, so no one should be seen using its products and services”.
The country’s regulator blamed Starlink for playing hardball and taking time to conclude the deal. “We came and made inquiries and we told them what we expect of them and since then they have gone quiet. Starlink is not yet licensed to operate in Zimbabwe” said Dr. Machengete.
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