Universities expect new high-speed internet to benefit them

The arrival of Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX in Burundi has sparked significant enthusiasm among users, especially students and researchers from different universities hoping that it will revolutionise academic activities. Universities are among the main beneficiaries.

Burundi received Starlink internet early in September, becoming the 17th African country to benefit from the revolutionary technology designed for under-served areas. This service promises to bridge the digital divide by providing high-speed access across the entire country, according to Léocadie Ndacayisaba, the minister for ICT and media in Burundi.

Said Chris Ndayizeye, a student in the information and communication technology department at the University of Burundi: “The internet is an essential resource for education, research and professional development. The internet we have is slow or unstable and hinders our ability to access information and communicate effectively. I believe this challenge will soon be resolved as we are going to benefit from a high-quality connection.”

Bienvenu Irakoze, a computer science student at the University of Lake Tanganyika, is just as excited. “I’m an IT student, so having Starlink’s internet service with better connectivity is a blessing for us. We’ve really been suffering from the poor quality service provided by other operators,” he said.

When asked about the pricing, he said he believes it is a fair trade-off. “It’s better to have a better connection, even if it’s more expensive, than a bad one at a cheap price.”

Jean Damascène Ndayikengurukiye, an IT staff member at the University of Burundi, also welcomes the advent of Starlink’s satellite internet. He feels it will solve many challenges that have plagued the university’s digital services.

He said that, once the university subscribes to this quality connection, things will fall into place. “Quality internet is indispensable for the functioning of a university. It allows research and innovation institutions to work more efficiently.”

Internet services

With an internet penetration rate of just 11.3% at the start of 2024, according to DataReportal, Burundi lags behind other countries in the region in terms of digital connectivity. Out of a population of more than 11 million people, only 1.51 million Burundians have access.

Additionally, traditional infrastructure, such as fibre optics or ADSL, is underdeveloped, especially in rural areas. It is in this context that Starlink’s arrival marks a true revolution for these remote regions. Thanks to its low-orbit satellites, Starlink provides coverage to so-called ‘white zones’, where internet access via terrestrial networks is nearly impossible.

Access to the internet through Starlink could encourage more Burundians to engage in the digital world, particularly in the education sector, where online learning opportunities remain limited, as well as in entrepreneurship, according to Claver Nijimbere, the director general for technology, science and research at the ministry of education and higher learning.

“Starlink’s service aims to contribute to the provision of reliable high-speed internet access in our country and will be available to individuals and businesses wishing to benefit from the service,” according to the Regulatory and Telecommunications Control Agency, or ARCT.

The ARCT is the body responsible for executing the presidential decree that granted Starlink’s licence in May 2024. The agency will closely monitor Starlink’s operations to ensure compliance with regulations, guarantee optimal service quality and protect consumers.

Universities will be more connected than they have been before, facilitating research and innovation. The agency urged university leaders to subscribe to the satellite connection to ensure better internet access for students.

Dr Samuel Muhizi, the director general of ARCT, commented that the introduction of satellite-based internet technology in Burundi’s ecosystem would enhance broadband connectivity.

“The arrival of Starlink presents an opportunity to improve the quality of internet access, especially in rural areas where connection is currently limited. This will help improve living conditions for people in these regions,” he said.

Pricing

As in other countries, access to Starlink in Burundi comes at a cost. According to Starlink’s official website, the monthly fee for residential service is BIF143,000 (about US$50), while the necessary equipment costs just over BIF1 million (about US$345). These prices are comparable to those in other countries, such as Rwanda, where the monthly subscription is RWF48,000 (US$35.35) and the installation kit costs RWF572,000 (US$421).

While waiting for the designation of a local partner, Burundians can subscribe directly via Starlink’s online portal using international payment cards.