Antony Chawagarira
ZIMBABWE’S mobile telecommunications sector could face increased competition following the United States Federal Communications Commission’s approval of international operating authority for SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile services.
This development could potentially introduce satellite-based mobile connectivity as an alternative to conventional cellular networks. Econet Wireless, the country’s largest mobile network operator, is likely to face pressure to review its service offerings and investment strategies.
On September 17, the FCC granted Space Exploration Holdings—the SpaceX subsidiary behind Starlink—international Section 214 authority to support Starlink Mobile services.
The authorisation allows SpaceX to handle international communications traffic originating or terminating in the United States and to assume responsibility as the carrier of record for such traffic.
This move strengthens Starlink’s ability to operate beyond its traditional role of providing satellite broadband and supporting mobile network operators in extending coverage to areas without conventional connectivity.
Starlink’s direct-to-device technology initially focused on messaging and limited data services, delivered through partnerships with established mobile operators such as T-Mobile in the United States.
However, the latest regulatory approval signals SpaceX’s broader ambition to develop a global satellite-powered mobile service capable of supporting voice calls, broadband data, and other internet applications.
The company has been expanding its technological and spectrum capabilities, with the FCC approving the assignment of approximately 65 megahertz of mid-band spectrum to SpaceX in May to support next-generation direct-to-device services.
This development is expected to improve connectivity between satellites and ordinary mobile phones, potentially extending services to remote and underserved communities.
SpaceX has indicated that its upgraded V2 satellite constellation could support significantly greater data capacity, with deployment expected to begin in 2027.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Bret Johnsen, has reportedly said that Starlink Mobile could introduce “5G-quality” satellite mobile services during the first half of 2028, with global roaming among its key ambitions.
Although the FCC approval does not constitute authorisation for Starlink Mobile to launch as a conventional mobile network in Zimbabwe, any direct service to local subscribers would still require compliance with the country’s telecommunications regulations and commercial requirements.
Zimbabwe’s mobile market is currently dominated by Econet, state-owned NetOne, and Telecel, with the three operators competing for subscribers who are increasingly reliant on data and internet services.
Figures from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) show that active mobile subscriptions reached 15.89 million in the first quarter of 2025.
During the same period, mobile data traffic rose by 17.31 percent to 114.02 petabytes, reflecting the growing importance of internet connectivity to the telecommunications industry.
Data and internet services accounted for more than half of mobile network operators’ revenue as consumers increasingly shifted towards social media, online messaging, video streaming, and other digital platforms.
Starlink’s potential entry into mobile services follows its fixed broadband operations, which made significant inroads into Zimbabwe’s connectivity market.
The satellite internet provider began operating locally in September 2024, offering services to households and businesses that were previously underserved by conventional broadband providers.
By the first quarter of 2026, Zimbabwe had recorded 86,488 active very small aperture terminal (VSAT) subscriptions, compared to 86,505 fibre connections, according to available telecommunications sector statistics.
VSAT subscriptions rose from 67,057 at the end of 2025, representing a quarterly increase of 28.98 percent.
While POTRAZ does not separately identify Starlink subscriptions in its figures, the growth reflects the expanding demand for satellite-based connectivity in the country.
The anticipated development of Starlink Mobile could further broaden consumer choices, particularly in rural communities, along highways, and in areas where the construction of conventional mobile infrastructure remains costly or challenging.
However, satellite-to-device services face technical and commercial considerations, including satellite capacity, compatible handsets, spectrum arrangements, and reliable connectivity in densely populated areas and indoor environments.
SpaceX may also initially rely on partnerships with existing mobile operators in different markets before expanding direct-to-device services as its satellite constellation grows.
For Zimbabwe, this development could encourage further investment, innovation, and competition in mobile connectivity, although the timing and extent of Starlink Mobile’s local availability remain uncertain.
As satellite and terrestrial telecommunications technologies continue to converge, the country’s mobile operators may increasingly need to adapt to a market in which connectivity is no longer dependent solely on cellular towers and ground-based infrastructure.
