Starlink in Zimbabwe: Techies Find Ways to Disguise Kits, Evading Authorities

In a country choked by high internet costs and limited options, Zimbabweans are turning to remarkable ingenuity. Facing arrest and equipment seizure for using Starlink, tech-savvy individuals have devised a way to disguise the kits.

One such individual who communicated anonymously with us here at Techzim has said he’s helping people hide their Starlink terminals from the authorities.

They modify the terminal so that it looks like a solar panel, or just a light. They are also able to make it work without the indoor router, removing any evidence of the presence of a Starlink connection, even if the authorities suspect, or a neighbour snitches.

It now seems to be a sort of business helping do this via kits that can be purchased. It is certainly also needed in countries where the Internet is itself censored (LOL yes also including Australia).

It's just really sad also where suppliers can get away with not having enough innovative competition for them to lower their prices through a competitive market. Governments too are not always putting their citizens first as licensing seems to have some other objectives. Ask citizens, and they're probably going to just say they want to have choices.

See https://www.techzim.co.zw/2024/04/starlink-in-zimbabwe-techies-find-ways-to-disguise-kits-evading-authorities/

#technology #Zimbabwe #Africa

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Discussion

Why is using Starlink illegal? Do they have state-owned ISPs?

No but all communications providers using any radio spectrum must be licensed to use spectrum.

So to use Starlink there, you must have a state broadcaster license? Or did Musk not get approval for using the devices there?

Yes, broadcasting is one type of license, but actual portion of the frequency is approved for different uses, and each device must be type approved. Most countries have this in place. It is reliant on the importer locally to apply for the type approval of the hardware. The satellite provider may have to apply for the frequency use so as not to blot out someone else using it.

But Starlink is also illegal still in South Africa as the same applies for the frequency license, and type approval of the hardware. So it is legally not for sale inside South Africa either until those are approved.