Aura Group breaks new ground, to revolutionise communication sector

AURA Group has pledged to act as a catalyst for empowering disadvantaged communities across the country by improving their livelihoods through offering a wide-range of internet services and technology.

The group, which was locally founded in 2008, has been licenced by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) to resell Starlink, a Low Earth Orbit internet constellation services in the country.

Starlink, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US billionaire Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX that provides coverage in more than 100 countries and territories, officially activated its signal in Zimbabwe on September 7, 2024.

Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, officially launched Aura Group as one of the resellers of Starlink in Harare on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch event, Aura Group chief executive officer, Samuelle Dimairho said:

“Together with Starlink, we will act as catalysts for empowering underserved communities, improving healthcare services, enhancing food security, extending access to information, and supporting value addition and beneficiation in various sectors.

“Our last-mile internet solutions will deliver speeds of up to 350Mbps through Starlink kits.

“Additionally, we will offer backhaul services for bulk internet data users, with speeds reaching up to 20Gbps.”

He said their products range from internet gateway solutions, premium standard kits, enterprise kits, high performance kits and unlimited internet subscription packages with priority data.

“Additionally, we are able to assist Starlink users who purchased kits outside Zimbabwe by migrating them to the Zimbabwean service, ensuring that these users comply with Starlink’s terms of use and the regulations of the Government of Zimbabwe,” said Dimairho.

All the group’s Starlink products and services come with premium value added features including professional installation services, dedicated support, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solutions, and tailored packages to meet specific customer needs.

“The company will leverage its global expertise and operational capabilities to facilitate the deployment and integration of Starlink LEO satellite and Velmenni Li-Fi technologies, ensuring provision of superior connectivity services in Zimbabwe and the region,” he said.

In an interview after the launch, Dimairho said his organisation’s pricing structure cuts the existing cost of Internet data and subscriptions by a minimum of 50 percent.

“Our pricing structure cuts the cost of Internet data and subscriptions by a minimum of 50 percent.

“It’s a minimum of 50 percent when you are comparing what we are selling versus what is on the market currently and what people are paying.

“In some instances, you know we enable clients to make even up to 65 percent savings on existing bills — where they were paying US$1000, they might end up paying between US$350 and US$500,” he said.

“So, it does not matter whether it’s one customer or a corporate entity, but if you basically compare what they are paying currently and what we will be able to offer them, there will be significant cost savings.

“Our initial assessments have shown us that we should at least save customers a minimum of 50 percent.”

Aura is also selling Starlink standard kit (premium) at a retail price including Value Added Tax at US$420 and high performance kit at US$2 999 while data inclusive of duty, 40 Gigabyte (GB) of priority plus standard unlimited at US$120 and 1 terabyte (TB) of priority plus standard unlimited at US$175.

For 2TB of priority plus standard unlimited is going for US$340 while additional priority data per GB is pegged at US$0,33.

“If I was to give you an example, at my home I have a 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) connection and it’s unlimited and I pay US$200 per month. Now with Starlink — those priority packages you can get speeds of up to 220 and if you have the high-performance kit, you can get up to speeds of 350 Mbps.

“I can tell you right now for someone that has a 200 (Mbps) connection with priority in Zimbabwe is not going to pay anything less than US$10 000 per month,” he said.

In her address Dr Mavetera said improved connectivity through innovative technologies like Starlink can significantly improve economic development in Zimbabwe.

“For instance, as rural communities gain access to reliable internet, they can overcome barriers to online learning, smart farming and telemedicine services among others. By fostering an environment where technology and community needs align, Zimbabwe can better prepare for future challenges while enhancing the overall quality of life,” she said.

Introducing Low Earth Orbit satellite technology such as that employed by Starlink, Dr Mavetera said, represents a transformative opportunity for Zimbabwe’s underserved and marginalised communities.

“This will foster economic development in areas previously hindered by inadequate connectivity.

“We are gathered here today to witness the first launch of a properly licensed reseller partnership in the low earth orbit satellite technology realm in Zimbabwe.

“This is a momentous occasion as we are celebrating compliance with regulations in an era where disruptive technologies have created some chaos for regulators and policymakers alike,” she said.

Dr Mavetera commended Aura Group for playing a pivotal role in facilitating the Starlink dealership and thus acting as a crucial intermediary between the technology and end-users.

By leveraging its established networks and local market knowledge, the Aura Group can effectively promote Starlink’s offerings in communities that are often overlooked by traditional internet service providers.

“As Aura continues to drive the adoption of Starlink technology, it contributes significantly to bridging the digital divide, ultimately empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable economic development.

“In Zimbabwe, where many students face significant barriers to accessing online education due to inadequate connectivity and high costs of compatible devices, initiatives like Starlink could be transformative.

“The technology offers a reliable means of internet access, particularly in remote areas where traditional providers often fail to deliver services,” she said.-ebsinessweekl