What sets Starlink Technology apart from traditional Internet service providers and how does it ensure reliable connectivity across Eswatini, even in remote areas?
Starlink, provided by SpaceX, stands out from traditional Internet service providers (ISPs) primarily through its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, which consists of thousands of satellites orbiting at about 550km above Earth.
Unlike traditional ISPs that rely on ground-based infrastructure such as fibre optic cables, cell towers or fixed wireless networks which are often limited to urban corridors like the Mbabane-Manzini axis and struggle to reach rural or rugged terrains, Starlink beams high-speed broadband directly from space.
This eliminates the need for extensive physical cabling, making it ideal for Eswatini’s diverse landscape, where over 40 per cent of the population lives in rural areas with sparse connectivity.
Key differentiators include:
- Speed and performance: In Q1 2025, Starlink delivered median download speeds of 86.18Mbps in Eswatini, far surpassing the 13.6Mbps average from local ISPs. Upload speeds also exceed 100Mbps, enabling seamless streaming, video calls and cloud access.
- Latency: While higher than fiber (around 20-60ms in optimised areas), it’s significantly lower than older geostationary satellites (600+ ms), supporting real-time applications.
- Coverage: Full national availability, as per Starlink’s map, with no blackouts in remote regions like the Lubombo Mountains or Hhohho District’s outskirts.
Reliability is ensured through redundancy in the satellite network-over 6 000 satellites provide overlapping coverage and inter-satellite laser links for efficient data routing.
Weather impacts are minimal compared to traditional satellites, though heavy rain can cause brief interruptions.
THOR International, as the official reseller, enhances this with local installations and monitoring, ensuring 99 per cent+ uptime in even the most isolated spots. This has bridged Eswatini’s digital divide, where internet penetration hovers at 59 per cent, by powering remote schools and farms without costly infrastructure builds.
For homes and families, how does Starlink improve everyday online experiences such as streaming, gaming, remote work? For Eswatini households, Starlink transforms daily digital life by delivering consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity that traditional ISPs often can’t match, especially beyond urban centres.
The Residential plan, priced at R950/month, includes unlimited data with speeds up to 100+ Mbps-enough for 4K streaming on multiple devices without buffering, lag-free online gaming (e.g. Fortnite or FIFA with <60 ms latency) and smooth video calls on Zoom or Microsoft Teams for remote work or family chats abroad.
Families in rural areas like Shiselweni or remote homesteads previously faced throttled speeds (under 10 Mbps) or total outages from mobile data caps, limiting homework, telemedicine or e-commerce.
Starlink’s Standard Actuated Hardware Kit Gen 3 (one-time cost ~E8 000) instals in minutes on a clear rooftop view of the sky, enabling:
- Seamless streaming and entertainment: Buffer-free Netflix or YouTube for the whole family.
- Gaming and education: Low-latency play for children and reliable access to online learning platforms like Khan Academy.
- Remote work: Stable VPNs and file uploads for parents in gig economy roles, boosting productivity by 2-3x over spotty 4G.
THOR International’s expert set-up ensures optimal antenna positioning, while the Starlink app provides real-time diagnostics.
Early adopters report 95 per cent satisfaction for home use, turning “unreliable Wi-Fi” into a household staple and fostering digital inclusion for Eswatini’s 710 000+ internet users. Many businesses in Eswatini rely heavily on stable internet for communication and operations.
How does Starlink empower offices and commercial establishments to stay connected and productive?
Eswatini’s businesses, from tourism lodges in the Ezulwini Valley to retail outlets in Manzini, depend on uninterrupted internet for emails, POS systems and client portals, yet traditional ISPs often deliver inconsistent service outside cities, costing hours in downtime.
Starlink’s Priority plans (starting at R1 950/month for 40GB) prioritise traffic for 100-350Mbps speeds and 24/7 reliability, empowering operations with:
- Enhanced communication: Crystal-clear VoIP calls and video conferencing, reducing miscommunications in supply chains.
- Productivity boosts: Cloud-based tools like QuickBooks or Salesforce run smoothly, with upload speeds of 30-60 Mbps for real-time inventory updates.
- Scalability: High-gain antennas handle peak loads for 50+ users in offices, while mobile roaming supports field sales teams.
For sectors like finance and retail, where outages can mean lost revenue, Starlink acts as a resilient backup to fibre, with laser-linked satellites ensuring global routing even during local disruptions.
THOR’s managed services include 24/7 monitoring and SLAs for 99.9 per cent uptime, helping SMEs cut costs by 20-30 per cent versus leased lines.
In tourism, it enables guest Wi-Fi and booking apps, driving a 15 per cent occupancy rise for connected lodges.
Overall, it’s fuelling Eswatini’s digital economy, where stable connectivity correlates with 25 per cent higher GDP growth in connected firms.
As a Starlink service provider in Eswatini, what can customers expect from THOR in terms of installation, technical support and long-term service reliability?
As THOR International is the authorised Starlink reseller in Eswatini, customers receive a full-service experience tailored to local needs, from initial set-up to ongoing peace of mind. Installation is professional and swift: THOR’s certified technicians (contactable via +268 7952 0575 in Mbabane) handle site surveys, dish mounting and activation within 24-48 hours, ensuring optimal sky visibility for peak performance-no DIY hassles.
Technical support is robust, with 24/7 local assistance via phone, app or on-site visits, including troubleshooting latency or firmware updates. THOR’s portal offers real-time performance tracking and faulty kits are replaced under warranty at no extra cost for contract holders.
For long-term reliability, THOR guarantees service continuity through redundant networks and proactive maintenance, backed by Starlink’s expanding constellation (now 6 000+ satellites).
Flexible contracts (12-24 months) include local invoicing in Emalangeni, priority data options and scalability as needs grow. Customers rave about THOR’s ‘no-location-too-remote’ ethos, with 98 per cent renewal rates due to minimal downtime.
This partnership ensures Eswatini users aren’t just connected-they’re future-proofed for a digital kingdom.
As THOR International is the authorised Starlink reseller in Eswatini, customers receive a full-service experience tailored to local needs, from initial set-up to ongoing peace of mind. (Pic: Starlink)
