Starlink is a new and fast way to connect to the internet in Mozambique.
At a glance it seems low cost, easy to use and reliable. It can work this way, but not always. Read this before you start using Starlink to ensure you understand what you are getting into.
Maputo and Matola
Maputo and Matola are special cases in terms of Starlink due to its popularity. Currently, Starlink is available to anyone in Matola and Maputo. But this is not to be guaranteed. In the past, due to the number of Starlink users in this area Starlink stopped all standard subscriptions in this area.
To see if there is a waiting list, either go to the Starlink Website and apply for a new Starlink account, giving your address (you will only be able to be added to a waiting list, not buy a kit, if there is a waiting list). Or go to the map page of the website and look at Maputo and Matola. Areas with a waiting list are shaded a mid-blue.Â
Be careful when buying the Starlink Kit from a reseller. They can set up, and install your Starlink kit with no problem. But they cannot give you a Starlink account. That means if there is a waiting list (which there is not at this moment), you could have the Starlink kit, but not be able to use it as you would be waiting for an account. But, at present, that is not an issue.
Apartments
If you live in an apartment it is unlikely you will get a good internet connection using Starlink, unless you are able to place your receiver on the roof and be able to run the cable from there to your apartment. The side of an apartment building does not give a Starlink receiver enough of a view of the sky.
Setting up Starlink
The Receiver
The Starlink kit can be ordered online from Starlink. If you order outside of Matola / Maputo it will arrive quite quickly (probably within a week) via DHL, if delivery is available where you live. Once it arrives it is very simple to setup. The most important thing is thinking about where you will put the receiver. It needs a clear view of the sky. The less buildings, plants and trees in the way, the better your connection to the internet will be. Although the kit is easy to set up yourself, for many people it will need to go on your roof for the best view of the sky, and so you may want an installer to do that for you. If you can access the location you want to put your receiver in place it is simply secured in place with four screws. Starlink also sell a wide range of extra mounts to connect your receiver to a wide range of different locations.
Once Starlink is up and running (see setup below) your Starlink app will show you an obstructions map (it takes about 24 hours to build this up). This shows you how good a view of the sky the receiver has and help you judge if you have chosen a good location for it.
The wire and WiFi router
The Starlink receiver comes with a long wire that needs to be connected to your Wifi router. They do sell a longer cable if needed. The router needs to be placed (as with any internet router) somewhere central in your house. The wire needs to be run from the receiver to your Wifi router. This often means having to make a hole in a wall somewhere to get the cable in. Once you have the Wifi router and cable in place, simply plug the cable into the Wifi router and plug in the router. Usually within 15 minutes everything is working. The Starlink app on your phone is an essential tool that connects to your Starlink kit so you can see if it is working.Â
Packages
Starlink packages
| Name of package | Price per month (Mts) | Maputo/Matola | Rest of Moz |
| Residential | 3000 | Currently Available | Available. Works only in a single location |
| Roam Unlimited | 6000 | Currently available (you can upgrade to this from Residential but I don’t recommend this, see changing packages below). | Available. Allows you to use Starlink within Mozambique, but gives you low priority on speed, so in cities your connection is slow. |
| Priority - (various data limit variations) | 4000- 43,152 | Not currently available | Available. Works only in a single location. Gives high speed connection with priority given to you over standard users for the first chunk of monthly data (depending on which package you choose). Standard data supplied once this has been used |
| Global Roam | 29,600 | Unclear whether this will work in this area at this time. | Available. Works on any location on land worldwide. Gives you low priority on speed, so in cities your connection is slow. There is an option to buy high priority and ocean data on a metered basis at 150Mts per Gb. |
| Mobile Priority (various data limit variations) | 74,035 - 370,181 | Available. Works on any location where Starlink is active worldwide. Gives you high priority on speed until you have used your data allowance. There is an option to buy high priority on a metered basis at 150Mts per Gb once you have used your allowance. | Available. Works on any location where Starlink is active worldwide. Gives you high priority on speed until you have used your data allowance. There is an option to buy high priority on a metered basis at 150Mts per Gb once you have used your allowance. |
Mobile Starlink
Some packages allow you to use Starlink as you travel. The different packages have different restrictions. The basic roaming packages allow only travel within a single country and give you low-priority speed within the country. Low priority on speed is not an issue in rural areas. But in cities where there are lots of other users, your connection will be slow. Starlink does contain GPS, so it will always know exactly where it is. Starlink is not licensed in South Africa and so will not work here.
Changing packages
As you can see above there are a variety of packages available. It is important to remember that once you change package you may not be able to return to a package that you had before. For those on a residential package this is good value for money. If you change to a roaming package it will allow you to use Starlink in many locations, but, you will have much slower connection speeds once you return home and will probably not be allowed to downgrade back to a residential package. I would work on the assumption that you will not be allowed to downgrade your package.
In Summary
If you have a residential package and have a location where you can place your receiver where it has a clear view of the sky, then this can provide a fast, reliable service. This is a great way to get a fast reliable internet connection. Be wary of changing packages, as you will probably not be able to return to your original package and could adversely affect your connection speed. If you live in Matola or Maputo, the current residential package is available, but this could change. Be aware that a Starlink installer can install the receiver and Wifi router, but you need to set up the Starlink account.
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