Will Elon Musk be allowed to provide better Internet Services in Tanzania as elections time looms?

Elon Musk is once more expressing interest to start providing fast, satellite-based internet services in Tanzania through his Starlink Company.

Starlink is already doing well in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and other African countries.

This is the second time that Starlink is trying to enter into the Tanzanian atmosphere, with the country seeming to be wary of people getting proper communication services.

During the first entry attempt, Starlink was denied access in Tanzania because according to authorities, the company had no branch in the country.

This time Starlink has registered a company in Tanzania as per the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) requirements.

Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited which has applied for the operating license at TCRA is intending to run National Network Facility and National Application Services in Tanzania.

“The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority has received applications under converged licensing framework from three applicants,” reads a public statement from the TCRA, listing Starlink, GX Technologies and Paratus Tanzania as the new candidates.

As for Starlink, the company shareholders have been listed as Starlink Holdings Netherlands B.V a Dutch firm with 99 percent stake and SpaceX Netherlands with one share.

Still, observers in the country are still skeptical if Elon Musk’s company will be allowed to perform without interference from authorities in Tanzania.

Tanzania is one of the African countries with the poorest communication services, including slowest data connection and horrid voice calls filled with hiccups.

And despite poor services, Telecoms have been charging people high rates prompting most of them to keep their data services off and make calls only when it is very necessary.

Also, with the General Elections around the corner, Elon Musk’s entry could be threatening.

Space X seems to be expanding rapidly throughout Africa with the company targeting that by the end of 2024, more than half the continent should be connected to the satellite constellation owned and operated by Elon Musk’s company.

Starlink promises high-speed internet even in remote regions and this has been the case in Kenya and Rwanda, much to the chagrin of local operators who now feel threatened.