Aura bags Starlink reseller licence
Aura Group has officially announced its entry into the high-speed internet market in Zimbabwe as a licensed reseller of Starlink, a satellite internet service by SpaceX.
SpaceX is owned by South African born IT mogul and billionaire now based in the United States of America, Elon Musk.
Aura Group chief executive officer, Samuel Dimairho, shared the company’s commitment to improving connectivity for local businesses and institutions.
“Aura Group is proud to announce that we are now an officially licenced reseller of Starlink, delivering high speed, low latency internet solutions to Zimbabwean businesses and institutions. Committed to enhancing connectivity and supporting technological growth, we deliver reliable internet services across various sectors. We are excited to lead this technological shift, empowering Zimbabwean businesses to thrive in the digital economy,” Dimairho stated.
He further emphasised that Aura will provide priority data services, ensuring faster and more reliable speeds for customers, along with 24/7 prioritised support and a publicly routable IPv4 address.
Starlink, which was launched in 2020, has rapidly gained global traction, providing high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to underserved regions.
Zimbabwe, with its rural connectivity challenges, stands to benefit significantly from this technology.
By bringing Starlink to the country, Aura aims to bridge the digital divide and bolster internet accessibility across key sectors such as finance, agriculture and education.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) granted Starlink Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd two licences on September 6, 2024 – a telecommunications licence for network services and a national Internet Services Provider licence.
This license stack authorises Starlink to provide Internet services throughout Zimbabwe using its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network.
The regulatory body has now issued a stern warning, saying that the sale or distribution of Starlink user terminals without proper authorisation and clearance is a criminal offence.
Meanwhile, POTRAZ said: “It is convinced that the addition of the LEO technology layer onto the Zimbabwean ecosystem of network technologies would enhance ubiquitous and meaningful broadband connectivity throughout Zimbabwe. Connecting the unconnected and bridging the digital divide remain key priorities for Zimbabwe, as we journey towards vision 2030.”
Dimairho noted that this initiative is a major step in supporting Zimbabwe’s technological growth.
“We are proud to deliver reliable internet solutions that will drive innovation and enhance productivity across industries,” he added.
The arrival of Starlink, facilitated by Aura Group, is expected to mark a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation, fostering economic growth and integration into the global digital economy.-ebsinesswekl
