Zimbabwe’s internet landscape is shifting following the entry in 2024 of satellite broadband provider Starlink, whose rapid uptake is accelerating connectivity growth while intensifying competition across the sector.
According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Sector Performance Report 2025, total active internet/data subscriptions rose by 2,02 percent to 13 252 877 in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 12 990 447 in the prior quarter.
The increase pushed internet penetration to 84,55 percent, a gain of 1,68 percentage points from 82,87 percent recorded in the third quarter, underscoring a sustained upward trajectory in national connectivity.
Broadband penetration followed a similar trend, rising by 2.05 percentage points to 82,63 percent, reflecting growing demand for faster and more reliable internet services across both urban and previously underserved areas.
POTRAZ attributed part of this growth to the increasing adoption of satellite-based internet, noting that Starlink continued to drive very small aperture terminal (VSAT) subscriptions as evidenced by a 31,62 percent increase in the quarter under review.
“VSAT subscriptions climbed from 50 949 in the third quarter to 67 057 in the fourth quarter, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the market,” POTRAZ said.
The report shows that while mobile internet remains dominant, with subscriptions growing by 1,84 percent to 12,86 million, alternative technologies are gaining traction.
Fixed Long Term Evolution (LTE) subscriptions rose by 6,99 percent, while active fibre connections increased by 7,42 percent, highlighting continued investment in infrastructure.
In contrast, legacy technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMA) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) recorded declines, signalling a gradual phase-out as consumers migrate to faster options.
The surge in satellite connectivity is also reflected in internet traffic patterns. According to the POTRAZ report, total fixed internet/data traffic increased by 8,86 percent to 479,94 Petabytes (PB) during the quarter.
“Notably, Starlink Zimbabwe recorded a sharp 42,76 percent increase in traffic, rising from 117,83 PB to 168,21 PB
“Liquid ceded fixed Internet/data traffic market share by 10,49 percentage points, mainly driven by an 8,32 percentage point increase in the market share of Starlink Zimbabwe,” the report reads.
Beyond subscriber growth, the sector’s financial performance showed modest gains as total revenue for internet access providers increased marginally by 0,83 percent to ZiG 2,53 billion, while capital expenditure rose by 0,74 percent to ZiG 217,48 million.
Encouragingly, operating costs declined by 7,06 percent, which POTRAZ said signifies enhanced operational efficiency within the industry.
Market analysts say Starlink’s entry is already delivering tangible benefits to consumers and the wider economy.
Investment analyst Mr Enock Rukarwa described the development as a turning point for Zimbabwe’s telecommunications sector.
“The coming in of Starlink is a positive development in Zimbabwe as it ensures improved internet connectivity and economic development through impacting related value chains in the economy,” he said.
Mr Rukarwa noted that longstanding challenges such as high data costs and inconsistent connectivity could ease as competition intensifies. “Data affordability and intermittent connectivity have been the major challenges within our telecommunications value chain, and the coming in of a new player should be able to push prices lower and enhance product quality,” he said.
He added that the rollout of satellite infrastructure could also stimulate employment. “The deployment and maintenance of Starlink ground infrastructure is another key enabler for job creation in the economy going forward,” Mr Rukarwa said.
Another analyst, Mr Batanai Matsika, previously described Starlink as a disruptive force capable of reshaping the sector.
“It disrupts existing operators’ markets as it will bring a lot of competition, but it’s positive for the economy simply because it results in improved access and good-quality services,” he said.
Owned by Space and led by billionaire Elon Musk, Starlink uses low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet, offering an alternative to traditional ground-based infrastructure such as fibre cables and mobile base stations.
Its entry into Zimbabwe comes at a time when demand for reliable internet is surging, driven by digital transformation across industries, increased remote work and the expansion of online services.-herald
