Staff Reporter

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has taken stringent measures against individuals and companies using Starlink without proper registration.

In response to the rising instances of local businesses promoting Starlink on social media platforms, especially Facebook, POTRAZ has initiated raids to assert control over unauthorised telecommunication services.

These actions are in line with regulatory measures to ensure compliance with the law.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, political analyst Psychology Mazivisa applauded POTRAZ for descending heavily on those who were illegally selling or using Starlink services within the country.

"Local companies have paid the required US$50 000 application fees and a US$2.1 million licence fee. Starlink operating freely without fulfilling these obligations puts local businesses at a disadvantage."

This discrepancy, according to Mazivisa, could lead to significant consequences for local companies, potentially resulting in job losses.

Mazivisa emphasised the importance of a level playing field, stating, "It is unfair for Starlink to operate in Zimbabwe without adhering to the same financial requirements as our local businesses."

Furthermore, concerns have been raised about Starlink's negative stance on establishing a base station in Africa.

Mazivisa argued that this refusal infringes upon the sovereignty of African states, as Starlink's operations impact local regulations and pose challenges to fair competition.

The analyst highlighted the presence of other international companies offering similar services but emphasised that Starlink has a notable advantage due to significant investments in social media marketing.

"There are many international companies providing services similar to Starlink, but the difference lies in their extensive social media marketing investments, giving them a competitive edge." remarked Mazivisa

However, as Zimbabwe strives to progress towards Vision 2030, such regulatory interventions by POTRAZ underscore the significance of fair competition and adherence to established protocols in the digital space.