Starlink paid a total of $575,000 to secure operating licenses in Zimbabwe, the regulator has revealed. The SpaceX-owned low-earth orbit satellite service launched in Zimbabwe on Friday evening following a protracted licensing process.
Starlink was granted the Telecommunications License for Network Services and Internet Service Providers (National) licenses, according to Zimbabwe regulator Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). The licenses will allow the service to operate in the country for a minimum period of 20 years.
The Telecommunications License for Network Services license costs $525,000 plus an $800 application fee while the Internet Service Provider (National) license costs $50,000 and a $50 application fee.
In addition to the license fees, Starlink will also be expected to pay 3.5% of gross turnover and value-added tax for each license.
According to POTRAZ, Starlink is currently engaging with telcos and other ISPs in the country to become official resellers of Starlink kits in the country. Until them, the service will only be available directly from Starlink.
“The sale or distribution of Starlink user terminals without appropriate licensing and clearance is an offence punishable by the law,” the regulator said.
Starlink’s licensing in Zimbabwe dragged on for almost a year, with Starlink’s director of global licensing calling it a “difficult and complex” process in an X (formerly Twitter) post. Goodnight did not elaborate on the complexities.