STARLINK: NEW HOPE FOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN TANZANIA?

 

Adeladius Makwega – MBAGALA/KETAKETA

 

“A student in Ketaketa, Ulanga District, needs internet access to conduct school research but faces challenges with connectivity. Meanwhile, a businessperson in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, needs reliable internet to communicate with customers and grow their business.”

 

Imagine these two situations.

 

For these two people, living in different environments, the question is the same: Could satellite internet technology be part of the solution to their connectivity challenges?

This question has gained greater significance following a report published by Global Publishers on October 8, 2026, stating that the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, held talks with representatives of SpaceX and Starlink in London, United Kingdom, on October 7, 2026.

 

According to the report, the discussions focused on investment opportunities in Tanzania’s communications and technology sectors.

 

However, news of these discussions does not automatically mean that a final agreement has been signed or that new services have begun operating.

 

For Mwanakwetu, this issue is not just about technology; it is also a discussion about development and opportunities for ordinary citizens. If the proposed investment plans are implemented, could they help expand internet access, improve connectivity, and open new doors for education and business?

 

What Changes Could Starlink Bring?

 

Starlink is an internet service that uses satellites orbiting the Earth at low altitudes. This technology can help deliver internet connectivity to areas that are difficult to reach through conventional infrastructure, such as communication cables and mobile phone towers.

 

For students, reliable internet could serve as a classroom beyond the physical boundaries of their schools, enabling them to conduct research, access digital books, and use various learning resources.

 

For small business owners, it could help them advertise products, communicate with customers, and manage their operations digitally. For young people, it could expand opportunities to learn technology skills and participate in internet-based activities.

 

However, these benefits will not materialize simply because the technology exists. They will depend on service availability, quality, affordability, and people's ability to pay for it.

 

Furthermore, before concluding that Starlink will solve connectivity challenges in a particular area, it is important to understand the actual state of communications infrastructure there.

Will Starlink Improve Mobile Phone Signal Coverage?

 

This is an important question for many mobile phone users. It is necessary to distinguish between Starlink's conventional internet service, which generally uses a dedicated satellite receiver, and Direct to Cell technology, which aims to connect compatible mobile phones directly to satellites through partnerships with mobile network operators.

These are not the same services. The availability of Direct to Cell depends on phone compatibility, the type of service offered, agreements with network operators, and approval from the relevant authorities.

 

In Tanzania, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) published guidelines on the provision of direct-to-mobile satellite communication services on July 17, 2025. These guidelines outline the regulatory requirements governing such services. TCRA also published guidelines on licensing satellite operators to provide services within Tanzania.

 

These guidelines are important for understanding the regulatory framework governing satellite services in the country. However, their existence alone does not prove that Starlink's direct-to-mobile satellite service has been approved or commercially launched in Tanzania.

 

Therefore, citizens should not assume that every mobile phone will immediately receive a stronger signal. It is important to wait for official information about the services that will be available, compatible devices, terms of use, and the areas that will be covered.

Cost: Will the Service Be Affordable for Ordinary Citizens?

 

Another challenge that needs to be considered is cost. Internet services can offer significant benefits, but those benefits will remain limited if many citizens cannot afford the prices.

 

For Starlink services that use a dedicated receiver, costs may include the receiving equipment, installation, and subscription fees.

 

For services that connect mobile phones directly to satellites, costs and terms may vary depending on the service provider and the package being used.

 

Until the official prices and terms for the intended service in Tanzania are confirmed, it would be incorrect to assume that Starlink will be cheaper than existing services or that mobile data package prices will automatically fall.

 

Competition can encourage improvements in the communications sector, but the results depend on operating costs, market policies, and decisions made by service providers. One important question for the government and investors, therefore, is how to ensure that quality services are available at affordable prices.

 

What Lessons Can Be Learned from Other Countries?

 

Experiences in other countries illustrate how Starlink technology can be used to expand access to communications. However, it is important to distinguish between announced plans and services that have actually become operational.

 

In Fiji, The Fiji Times reported on August 11, 2025, that the government had announced a plan to use a Starlink-based communications system to provide Wi-Fi services at 126 rural and remote locations. The project was estimated to cost US$3 million and was intended to benefit approximately 11,300 people who had limited internet access or unreliable services.

 

According to the report, the initiative was part of broader efforts to extend services to areas inadequately served by conventional infrastructure. Fiji's example demonstrates how satellite technology can be considered as a means of expanding connectivity. However, announcing a project alone does not prove that all connectivity challenges have been resolved.

 

In the Philippines, telecommunications company Globe Telecom announced on June 29, 2026, that it had obtained approval from the country's telecommunications regulator to commercially offer Starlink's direct-to-mobile satellite service. According to the company, the service was intended to support communications in areas where conventional mobile networks were unavailable, using compatible phones and subject to the applicable conditions.

 

This example highlights the importance of cooperation among satellite companies, mobile network operators, and regulatory authorities.

 

It also demonstrates that connecting mobile phones to satellites requires legal and technical steps, not merely the presence of satellites.

 

For Tanzania, the lesson is not to copy every step taken by these countries, but to examine examples that suit local circumstances. The government and communications stakeholders should consider affordability, service quality, citizens' needs, and legal requirements before announcing expected benefits.

 

For residents of Mbagala, I recognize that the area is not particularly remote because it is located in an urban setting. Nevertheless, reliable internet could help businesspeople communicate with customers, advertise products, and conduct various digital activities.

 

For residents of Ketaketa, I understand that some areas face serious challenges with mobile phone and internet connectivity. Satellite technology could be one of the options worth exploring to expand access to these services.

 

However, it is important to obtain evidence of the actual connectivity situation in these areas before concluding that this technology is the solution they need most. Data on network availability, residents' testimonies, and service providers' reports could help establish the actual needs of each area. In this respect, this article also serves as a wake-up call intended to direct attention to the challenges facing our communities.

 

Similarly, reports of investment discussions do not automatically mean that Starlink has begun providing services in Tanzania, that prices have been reduced, or that Mbagala and Ketaketa have been scheduled for connectivity upgrades. These matters need to be verified through official statements from the government, TCRA, and the companies involved.

 

This is a provocative article by Mwanakwetu aimed at TCRA, an authority that also frequently challenges Mwanakwetu.

The next step is to monitor whether these discussions lead to a formal agreement, investment conditions, and a plan specifying the services to be provided, the areas to be covered, and the costs users will be expected to pay.

 

How Will Success Be Measured?

 

The success of investment in the communications sector should not be measured solely by the size of the company involved or the popularity of its technology. It should be measured by tangible improvements in citizens' lives.

 

Will internet access expand? Will connectivity quality and reliability improve? Will prices become affordable? Will students, small business owners, and communities in underserved areas be able to benefit?

These questions require verifiable answers based on statistics, implementation reports, and user experiences. It is also important to ensure that the expansion of services goes hand in hand with consumer protection, fair competition, and regulations that enable citizens to access high-quality services.

 

For Mwanakwetu, expectations surrounding Starlink in Tanzania must be accompanied by transparency about the progress made and the benefits anticipated. Citizens need accurate information about the services that will become available, implementation timelines, and costs, rather than being left with unsubstantiated expectations.

 

Ultimately, the question is not whether Starlink is a major global technology, but whether it can make a measurable contribution to expanding communications access in Tanzania.

 

Will residents of Mbagala and Ketaketa be among the beneficiaries of this technology?

 

The answer will depend on the next steps, the conditions governing service provision, and the ability to ensure that technological progress reaches citizens in ways that meet their needs.

The most important point is that the Prime Minister has held talks with these people.

 

Email: makwadeladius@gmail.com

Phone: 0717649257