Starlink-internet could be in Namibia soon
Worry over space junk
While Mozambique became the first country in Southern Africa to obtain Starlink internet services last week, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini should have access to these services before the end of 2023.Starlink promises lightning-fast internet services to even the most remote areas in Namibia - even where internet services are currently very slow or have never existed before. This should also offer great benefits for Namibia, where currently only around 21.2% of households have internet access.
In Tanzania, the monthly cost for unlimited internet through Starlink costs around N$900, although users must first purchase a Starlink kit, which costs about N$14 765.
In addition, users can test it for 30 days and if they are dissatisfied with the service, return it and claim their money back. Long-term contracts are also not used - and they only work on a month-to-month basis that can be cancelled at any time.
The following countries in Southern Africa that will acquire Starlink internet services during the third quarter of 2023 are Botswana, Zambia as well as Tanzania. Other African countries that already have access to the services are Rwanda and Nigeria. This is according to Starlink's official website, where it is indicated where internet services are already available and when countries worldwide can expect to obtain the services.
Satellite services
Starlink - currently the world's largest (and most rapidly growing) provider of internet services via satellite - is the work of SpaceX, a manufacturer of space equipment and transportation services owned by Elon Musk.
Previously, internet services via satellites were known to be slower, especially since satellites orbit as far as 35 000 km from Earth. What sets Starlink's internet services apart is that the satellites orbit much closer to the earth (about 550 km high) and make frequent revolutions, making them some of the fastest internet services available worldwide.
However, the downside to this is that many more satellites are needed to provide continuous internet services.
In May this year, SpaceX already sent more than 4 400 satellites into space, which orbit low around the earth and can deliver an internet speed of between 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and 200 Mbps. Starlink has reportedly already applied to send as many as 42 000 satellites into space.
Several experts and even astronomers are concerned about the number of satellites, which will not only lead to more space debris, but may also cause the night sky to be full of twinkling satellites.
However, SpaceX maintains that the company is constantly working on plans for sustainability and making its satellites less shiny.