Starlink in Zambia: A 3-Year Review — Is It Worth the Investment?

We have had Starlink in Zambia for about 3 years now — well, officially anyway — and the reception has been good, for those that can afford it. Amazing technology, quality internet.

What is Starlink?

For the basic user who doesn't understand all the technical jargon of fibre, modems, etc., Starlink is super fast internet that is always on, you own, and can work anywhere. It can be accessed using Starlink equipment which is a satellite dish similar to your DSTV dish.

Why Does It Stand Out?

Where other internet providers may have to run cables in order for you to enjoy high-speed constant internet, Starlink only requires electricity. In comparison, the cost of internet through Starlink is considered cheaper due to the high speeds of internet you get and the quality of service too. It is definitely something to rave about.

The Hardware

The Starlink equipment itself is a quality piece of equipment — premium. It is well built, strong, and almost basically weatherproof.

You get a dish that needs to point at the sky. This is mounted outside and then connected via a single cable (that provides power to the dish) to a router. This router broadcasts WiFi which you connect to.

Now, it's important to note that the coverage of the WiFi is not the best. It is sufficient for a standard 2-3 bedroom house.

Let's Talk About Fast Internet

How is internet speed measured? Internet speed is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). Now, we have two things to consider: bandwidth and throughput.

Let me use water flow through a hose pipe as an analogy:

• Bandwidth is basically the size of the pipe. The bigger the pipe, the more water that can flow.

• Throughput is how fast the water is flowing through the pipe.

The Swimming Pool Analogy

Let's use a swimming pool as our task to be completed — we have to fill it up.

If we use a small pipe to fill the pool, it will take us quite a while. However, if we find a tap to hold a big pipe and have the tap pushing a lot of water, the quicker the pool will be filled.

Now, substitute the pool with a digital file like a movie or song that we would like to download from the internet. We first look at our pipe (internet device) and how much data it can handle.

In the case of Starlink, think of it as a big pipe with high pressure water flowing through — meaning we will complete our task faster.

Get it?

The Cost Reality

Look, I tried simplifying it and I hope you understood this. But just like everything else in life, nothing is free.

The cost of hardware in order for you to get this great service is considered very high by Zambian standards. At the publication of this article:

Item	Cost (ZMW)

Standard Kit

K10,000+

Monthly Residential Unlimited

K1,160

I have to say, this is out of reach for the majority of Zambians. You also can't easily shift your device to another location.

The Verdict

Starlink delivers on its promise of fast, reliable internet. The technology is impressive, the hardware is premium quality, and the speeds are genuinely excellent. But the barrier to entry remains high for most Zambians.

If you can afford it, it's absolutely worth it. If you're on the fence, consider whether the K10,000+ upfront investment and K1,160 monthly makes sense for your situation compared to alternatives like fibre (where available) or mobile data plans.

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What's your experience with Starlink in Zambia? Drop a comment below.