Business Reporter
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) yesterday clarified the status of Starlink's operations within the country, asserting that the satellite internet provider is not yet licenced to operate in Zimbabwe.
However, the regulatory body emphasised that the door remains open for Starlink to offer and establish its internet services within the Zimbabwean territory.
The Director General of POTRAZ, Dr Gift Machengete, affirmed the Government's stance, dispelling any notions of obstruction towards Starlink's entry into the Zimbabwean market. He further disclosed that while Starlink had shown interest in providing services in Zimbabwe, it had not yet completed the necessary licencing procedures.
"On the issue of Starlink, the Authority would like to categorically state that it is not blocking Starlink in any way. POTRAZ would like to reveal that Starlink is not yet licenced to provide services in Zimbabwe," stated Dr Machengete.
"They (Starlink) have expressed interest to offer services in Zimbabwe and have been provided with all the relevant information for them to apply. They have not yet done so. This means that their service offering in Zimbabwe is illegal for as long as they remain without a licence," he emphasised.
The Director General cautioned that any usage of Starlink's services in Zimbabwe without proper authorization would constitute a breach of the law, which attracts corresponding legal repercussions.
"Therefore, anyone found using Starlink in Zimbabwe will be in breach of the law and will face the consequences in accordance with the law," Dr Machengete warned.
Moreover, Dr Machengete shed light on the methodology behind tariff comparisons conducted by POTRAZ, explaining that such evaluations were based on out-of-bundle tariffs across the region.
This approach, according to Dr. Machengete, ensures a more accurate reflection of the actual costs involved in providing internet and data services, thereby facilitating a balanced assessment of service affordability and operator sustainability.
Dr Machengete reiterated that POTRAZ's objective criteria for tariff comparisons serve to maintain a delicate equilibrium between ensuring service accessibility for consumers and fostering a conducive operational environment for service providers.
With these clarifications, POTRAZ aims to provide transparency regarding the regulatory framework surrounding Starlink's potential entry into Zimbabwe's telecommunications landscape while also underscoring the importance of adhering to established licencing protocols and regulatory standards within the industry.
