Demand on the rise: Starlink kits sold out in two African capitals
Starlink makes satellite internet available everywhere. In Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya, the technology is now sold out in some places.
Starlink receivers like this one are currently sold out in some African cities.
(Image: Oleh Dubyna/Shutterstock.com)
Starlink devices for domestic use are currently partially sold out in three African countries – One of them is Zimbabwe, where the technology for Internet coverage via satellite radio was launched just two months ago. The starter kits, which contain everything needed to set up Starlink at a fixed location, are currently sold out in Zimbabwe's capital Harare and the surrounding region. The starter kits are also currently not available in Nigeria's capital Abuja and four other cities, as well as in Kenya's capital Nairobi. The information relates to Starlink direct sales.
The technology is also being offered at African street bazaars. The devices initially sold well here, but the overpriced prices charged by street vendors caused demand to collapse, as the news portal Bloomberg reports. Local internet providers in Zimbabwe are already trying to lower their prices to retain customers. Internet is relatively expensive in the country due to poor power supply, expensive infrastructure and the weak Zigcoin, a special cryptocurrency used to pay for telecommunications services in Zimbabwe.
Expansion was initially planned
In the case of Harare and the surrounding area, Starlink had initially planned to expand its capacity, according to a local media report on the Starlink map. However, the status was changed to "sold out", which means that the product will not be available here for an indefinite period of time. Interested parties can be notified by e-mail as soon as Starlink is available again in the area.
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On the Starlink map, the status "Sold-Out" can currently also be found in the area of Kenya's capital Nairobi as well as in the area of Nigeria's capital Abuja and the cities of Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri. Starlink has been available in Kenya since July 2023 and in Nigeria since January 2023. Large parts of the south of the African continent are to be connected to Starlink in the coming year. Starlink should then be available in almost all countries south of the Central African Republic. There is no specific launch date yet for South Africa.
(nen)
