The anticipated launch of Starlink’s satellite internet service in Uganda has been delayed, with the new availability date now set for 2025. Originally, the introduction of the service was scheduled for Q4 2024. This revised timeline, which however is not yet complete with specific dates, is shown on the Starlink availability map. The cause of the delay is still unknown.
One possible explanation for the postponement is regulatory challenges. Moses Watasa, the Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Ministry of ICT while speaking at the Closing Ceremony of Phase One at the Innovation and Growth Acceleration Program, organized by Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU) at Mestil Hotel in Kampala said in addition to the ongoing fiber installation across the country spearheaded by the National Information Technology Authority (NITA) Uganda, the government is exploring satellite technology to improve connectivity in the country.
“While fiber optic technology forms the backbone of Uganda’s internet expansion strategy, it is not without limitations,” said Watasa. “For geographically challenging areas such as islands and mountainous regions, deploying fiber is often impractical. To address this, the government is exploring satellite technology to ensure hard-to-get places/regions can have an internet connection.”
While this demonstrates the government’s acknowledgment of satellite technology’s potential, it establishes a series of questions about where Starlink stands in Uganda’s overall vision of connectivity. It is unknown whether the government will work with Elon Musk’s Starlink or will create its satellite internet constellation.
Starlink, SpaceX’s growing constellation of orbital satellites has already established a presence in over 100 countries including 15 African nations. The aim is to provide high-speed internet access, by utilizing a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband internet coverage across the planet; essentially, making reliable internet available anywhere on Earth, including places with limited or no existing infrastructure.
The 15 African nations where Starlink is present include; Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In this context, the Uganda delay is striking in comparison to this rapid growth, especially in light of the continued connectivity issues in Uganda.
High internet access cost is still a serious problem in Uganda. To this response, the government has already announced a plan to cut internet rates by at least one-third–and up to half–by January 2025. This ambitious goal relies heavily on expanding fiber-optic infrastructure. Nevertheless, broadband satellite internet services such as Starlink may provide an ancillary utility to support these initiatives by meeting connectivity needs in locations where the deployment of fiber is impractical, bridging the gap in the country’s digital divide, and improving education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Although fiber-optic networks are the backbone for long-term connectivity solutions, satellite networks, such as Starlink, provide another option for reaching remote locations, quickly and more readily. To effectively tackle Uganda’s internet needs, it will be of paramount importance to develop a balance between these two technologies.
The postponement of Starlink’s availability to 2025 adds uncertainty to Uganda’s internet accessibility goals. However, the government’s commitment to lowering costs and extending connectivity to remote regions remains a silver lining. Whether through local ISPs, expanded fiber networks, or eventual satellite solutions, the hope is for a more inclusive digital future for all Ugandans.
While Starlink will revolutionize connectivity, especially in underserved and remote areas, the service’s affordability in low-income countries like Uganda remains a hot topic of debate. Starlink’s hardware setup currently costs around USD$599 (approx. UGX2.3M), with a monthly subscription fee of USD$120 (approx. UGX450,000) and USD$140 (approx. UGX520,000) for personal and business respectively. While this pricing is competitive in developed regions with robust economies, it poses significant challenges for individuals and businesses in low-income countries.
According to available data, Uganda’s average monthly income is estimated at USD$200 (approx. UGX750,000), meaning Starlink’s monthly subscription fee alone takes 60% of one’s earnings. Therefore, consumers who can’t solely afford the service can alleviate financial burdens through sharing models, where multiple households share one Starlink connection.
Scaling Starlink in lower-income countries could encourage SpaceX to introduce region-specific pricing, aligning costs with local economies.
Today, Ugandans including businesses are opting to use fiber internet, which is somewhat affordable considering the competitiveness in the market. Some of the companies offering fiber internet include MTN, Airtel, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Simba Telecom, Zuku, CanalBox, Savanna, etc.
Fiber offers several advantages including higher speeds, greater bandwidth, and longer transmission distances. It enables faster data transfer and greater bandwidth, essential for businesses relying on data-intensive applications.
Research from Hewlett-Packard (HP Inc.) revealed that businesses utilizing fiber internet enjoy upload speeds up to 20 times faster than those relying on cable internet. This significant speed advantage yields substantial productivity and efficiency gains, enabling companies to handle large data transfers, host smooth video conferences, and support multiple users concurrently.
The residential sector is also witnessing a significant shift towards fiber internet driven by the growing demand for high-speed internet for streaming, gaming, and remote work, to mention a few without lag/interruption. As more traditional homes turn into smart homes, fiber provides the stability to support multiple smart devices connected to the house.
The escalating demand for high-speed internet and reliable connections has propelled fiber optic technology to the forefront, surpassing traditional copper cables with its exceptional speed and unwavering dependability —and with the introduction of satellite internet services, internet connectivity will shift significantly.
