Starlink Latency in Zimbabwe Improves as More Ground Stations Go Live

For Zimbabwean Starlink users, the early days of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service came with a frustrating trade-off: blazing-fast download speeds, but latency that could make real-time gaming or video calls feel like a struggle. At launch, delays between sending a request and getting a response (latency) hovered between 150ms to 300ms—far from ideal for seamless streaming or competitive online gaming.

But thanks to Starlink’s aggressive expansion of ground stations across Africa, those numbers are now dropping to 30ms–70ms, putting Zimbabwe on track to rival fibre-optic performance. Here’s how the tech works—and why this upgrade matters

Why Latency Matters (And Why Zimbabwe’s Was So High)

Latency, often measured in milliseconds (ms), is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. Think of it like a conversation: low latency means quick replies, while high latency feels like talking through a delayed phone line.

Initially, Zimbabwe’s Starlink connections suffered because the country had no nearby ground stations, critical infrastructure that links satellite signals to the broader internet. Instead, data had to bounce through distant stations outside Africa, adding unnecessary delays.

How Ground Stations Fix the Lag

Starlink’s satellites don’t operate in isolation; they rely on a network of ground stations (also called gateways) to bridge the gap between space and the terrestrial internet. Here’s the process:

1. Your signal travels to a Starlink satellite in low Earth orbit (~550km up).

2. The satellite relays it to the nearest ground station (now in Mozambique or Botswana, vs. previously as far as Europe or the Middle East).

3. The ground station connects to local internet exchange points using fiber, slashing the distance data must travel.

With new stations in Kenya, Mozambique, and Botswana (plus two more coming in Gaborone and Lobatse), Zimbabwean traffic now takes a shorter, faster route. The result? Smoother Zoom calls, lag-free Netflix, and playable online gaming.

Local Advocacy Pays Off

The push for better infrastructure hasn’t gone unnoticed. Willard Shoko - @WillarShoko, a Starlink consultant in Zimbabwe, has been vocal on X (formerly Twitter), tracking progress and lobbying for more ground stations. His recent post highlights the impact:

“..Starlink Mozambique Ground Station is online, now looking forward to Botswana’s 2 Ground Stations in Gaborone and Lobatse coming online. This will increase capacity and Download Speed, and one more in Francistown will be massive for Bulawayo and Matabeleland North and South.”

The benefits extend beyond latency:

• More capacity: Areas like Harare, where Starlink kits were previously sold out, could reopen for orders.

• Competitive pricing: Starlink remains a cost-effective alternative to traditional ISPs in Zimbabwe, where fibre coverage is limited.

The Bigger Picture for Zimbabwe

As Starlink builds out its African network, Zimbabwe stands to gain even more. Lower latency isn’t just about convenience—it’s a game-changer for businesses, remote work, and education reliant on stable, real-time connections.

While fibre still holds the edge in urban centers, Starlink’s upgrades now make it a more viable option for underserved rural areas. And with demand surging across the continent, the pressure is on to keep expanding.