Smart Zambia Institute National Coordinator Percy Chinyama says Smart Zambia has put up the Starlink Satellite Receiver in Lunga District.
Speaking when he called on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba at his office, Mr. Chinyama, disclosed that Lunga district is amongst the first districts in Zambia that will benefit from the Starlink Satellite for internet use.
He said Lunga district was picked to have the Satellite Receiver because it has one of the most limited communication equipment.
“So we put our Starlink equipment there for the DCs office but of course the model that we are using, this communication equipment will not only be restricted to the DCs office but to other stakeholders including the citizens of Lunga. So we are going there to affirm this Starlink Receiver,” he said.
Mr. Chinyama also disclosed that Luapula Province is a strategic point for Smart Zambia, and will take advantage of the partnership that Zambia has with the Democratic Republic of Congo to take advantage of the border points by putting up its technologies there.
“Apart from what we are going to do at Lunga, there are plans that we have for your border points. So we want to exploit the border points because they are strategic. As you know our Head of State has created a partnership with his counterpart in Congo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mumba noted that the Starlink facility that Smart Zambia has put up in Lunga district will help the people in terms of communication
He observed that Lunga district has been facing network challenges, being an island.
Mr. Mumba said the Starlink facility will address the internet challenges that the district has been facing.
“Lunga is a unique place and we are glad that it is one of the first districts to have the Starlink technology, the people will not remain the same but develop,” he said.
Mr. Mumba also stated that the Starlink equipment will also benefit the tourists in Samfya in enhancing their communication via fast internet connectivity.
“Also the Mwenda-Kasomeno road, there will be a lot of activities once it’s put up and so what you have started in Lunga should also extend to these border areas,” he said.
In September, 2022, following a meeting with Starlink representatives in New York, President Hakainde Hichilema confirmed that SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation Starlink will launch its services in Zambia in the next six months.
President Hichilema disclosed that the Government had prioritised internet connectivity and the need to address connectivity issues as this is the only way Zambia can secure a fully functional 21st-century e-government system.
