ZAP

Name

ZAP

Legal name

Upstar Comunicações, S.A.

Website

https://zap.co.ao

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ZAP is a leading Angolan telecommunications operator providing satellite TV (DTH) and fiber-to-the-home internet and IPTV services to residential, enterprise, and hospitality customers across Angola and Mozambique, supplemented by proprietary channels, sports content, and IMAX cinema operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pay Television and Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Video Streaming Platforms (SVOD/AVOD/TVOD) (BPAMAJAA)

Keywords

• Satellite television services
• Fiber internet service
• Pay TV provider
• Business connectivity solutions
• Video on demand

Headquarters

HQ city

Luanda

HQ country

Angola

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Satellite TV Subscription: Monthly prepaid subscription model for satellite TV service with multiple package tiers (Basic X, Mini, Mais, Max, Premium). Customers purchase prepaid airtime cards (Zapadinhas) or use auto-pay debit facilities. Packages range from 10 basic channels to 110+ channels with premium content.
2. Fiber Internet and TV Bundles: Combined internet and TV packages on fiber optic network with monthly subscriptions. Speeds range from 10Mbps to 300Mbps with unlimited traffic. Includes IPTV service with advanced features like restart TV and video-on-demand.
3. ZAP Empresas Business Services: Enterprise connectivity and TV solutions targeting small, medium, and large businesses as well as the hospitality sector. Offers fiber packages from 2Mbps to 1Gbps with symmetric speeds and dedicated IP for corporate clients.
4. Video-on-Demand (Videoclube): Pay-per-view movie rentals with 48-hour viewing windows. Pricing based on number of films rented (2-4 films for 5,970 Kz up to 16-32 films for 47,760 Kz). Additional revenue stream on top of base subscriptions.
5. Equipment Rental: Rental of customer premises equipment including ZAP Box HD+ receivers, Fiber IPTV boxes, routers, and MESH WiFi nodes. Equipment remains property of ZAP and is provided during service subscription.
6. ZAP Cinemas: Physical cinema operation with IMAX technology, offering movie screenings in Angola. First cinema with IMAX technology in Angola launched in 2016.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ZAP operates as a multi-product television and connectivity platform serving Angola and Mozambique. Its core offerings are ZAP Satélite, a satellite TV service with packages from 7 to 110+ channels distributed via parabolic antenna and set-top boxes, and ZAP Fibra, a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service bundling IPTV with internet speeds from 10Mbps to 300Mbps. The company complements these with ZAP Empresas business connectivity, ZAP Cinemas IMAX theaters, exclusive proprietary TV channels (ZAP Viva, ZAP Novelas, Kanuca TV, ZSPORTS, FUNBOX Ultra HD), and a Videoclube on-demand movie rental service.

Product overview

ZAP operates as a multi-product television and connectivity platform primarily serving Angola and Mozambique. The core offerings consist of ZAP Satélite (satellite TV with packages from 7 to 110+ channels) and ZAP Fibra (fiber optic TV + internet from 10Mbps to 300Mbps), complemented by the business segment brand ZAP Empresas with dedicated enterprise connectivity packages. Key products include channel packages (ZAP PREMIUM, MAX, MAIS, MINI, PLUS, BÁSICO X), equipment (ZAP Box HD+, routers with WiFi 6/7, MESH WiFi, ONT), and services (Videoclube movie rental, ZAP Facilita advance subscription, Restart TV, Timewarp, Advanced Recording). Exclusive channels include ZAP Viva, ZAP Novelas, Kanuca TV, and ZSports channels. The ZAP ON mobile app enables account management and subscription loading. ZAP Cinemas extends the brand into physical movie theaters with IMAX technology. All services are managed through a network of physical stores, agents, and digital channels including Multicaixa payment integration and Débito Directo banking partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZAP Novelas: Portuguese-language telenovela and series channel, leader in its segment for over 10 years.
• ZAP Viva
• Kanuca TV
• ZSPORTS 1
• ZSPORTS 2
• ZSPORTS LaLiga
• ZAP Facilita
• BOM SOM Channel
• Afro Music Channel
• ZAP Mais (formerly ZAP Mini+)

Products and services

• ZAP Satélite Satellite television service offering multiple channel packages (PREMIUM, MAX, MAIS, MINI, PLUS, BÁSICO X) ranging from 7 to 110+ channels, distributed across Angola and Mozambique via parabolic antenna and ZAP BOX HD+ set-top boxes. Targeted at residential individual customers and the hospitality sector.
• ZAP Fibra Fiber optic television and internet service combining 110+ IPTV channels with high-speed internet access (10Mbps to 300Mbps) on a 100% fiber network. Includes advanced TV features such as Restart TV, Timewarp, and video-on-demand. Available in ZAP Fibra coverage areas of Angola.
• ZAP Empresas Business-focused service brand offering connectivity and TV solutions for small, medium, and large enterprises plus the hotel sector. Includes dedicated fiber packages with speeds from 2 Mbps to 1 Gbps, symmetric speeds, fixed IP addresses, SD-WAN Cisco Meraki routers, and 24/7 technical support.
• ZAP Cinemas Physical cinema chain with IMAX technology offering movie screenings in Angola. First cinema with IMAX technology in Angola, located in Luanda, providing premium cinema experience with large screens and quality sound for individual consumers.
• ZAP ON Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling customer account management, direct subscription recharges, Multicaixa Express payments, and access to ZAP Fibra services including monthly subscription, extra box, VoD, and add-ons.
• Videoclube (Video Store) On-demand movie rental service offering over 2,000 films including new releases every Thursday, available in HD and SD with 3D content capability and 48-hour viewing windows. Pricing based on number of films rented.
• ZAP Facilita Advance subscription service that provides 3 days of prepaid TV access to help ZAP Satélite customers maintain active subscriptions. Available for active or disconnected-up-to-5-days customers via USSD (*468#), SMS (45100), automated phone, or ZAP stores.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9-time winner of Superbrands Angola 'Marca de Excelência' recognition out of 11 editions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FIBA (Federação Internacional de Basquetebol)coreTechnology or Integration · 28 March 2026ZAP secured exclusive broadcast rights for FIBA-organized competitions until 2029 for Angola and Mozambique markets. Includes World Championships (men's and women's), World qualification tournaments, AfroBasket, continental competitions, and other international events featuring major basketball nations and talents.
• ITEL (Instituto de Telecomunicações)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Partnership for professional training of ITEL students in information technology. Includes internship programs at ZAP facilities, capacity-building initiatives led by ZAP technical specialists, and social responsibility activities. Also includes forums, workshops, and lectures promoting digital learning culture.
• N'Gola Digital Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZAP supplies internet connectivity (ZAP Fibra) for the N'Gola Digital project, a non-profit social initiative led by the Ministry of Telecommunications, IT and Social Communication. Project aims to democratize technology and internet access by equipping schools with fully equipped computer rooms and internet connectivity.
• Upstar Comunicações, S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpstar Comunicações operates ZAP Novelas channel, a thematic TV service with unrestricted access. Located at Av. Dom João II, Torre Zen Nr. 41 - 12th Floor, 1990-084 Parque das Nações, Lisbon, Portugal. Regulated by ERC (Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social) in Portugal.
• FADCOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the N'Gola Digital project for providing internet connectivity to equipped computer rooms in schools, collaborating with INFOSI and ZAP.
• INFOSIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the N'Gola Digital project for providing internet connectivity to equipped computer rooms in schools, collaborating with FADCOM and ZAP.
• EMIS (Empresa Interbancária de Serviços, S.A.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancial services partnership enabling prepaid direct debit payments for ZAP services. EMIS partners with 19 banks to provide the Débito Direto pre-paid service allowing customers to authorize automatic bank account debits for ZAP subscription renewals, preventing service interruptions.
• Cisco MerakicoreTechnology or IntegrationZAP Empresas enterprise solutions utilize Cisco Meraki SD-WAN routers for intelligent network management, enabling businesses to monitor and control their network infrastructure with enterprise-grade technology.
• Anselmo Ralph / Team Films (BOM SOM Channel)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBOM SOM Channel, a dedicated music and African culture channel for PALOP countries, is distributed through ZAP platform at position 101. Founded by artist Anselmo Ralph with business partner Gildo Mariano (CEO of Team Films). Also distributed in Mozambique (CV Multimúsica), Cape Verde (CV Multimídia), and Portugal (MEO).
• Vidas ZAP Social Responsibility PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate social responsibility program supporting children's homes including Remar, Baluarte, Horizonte Azul, and Pequena Semente. Partnerships with Fidelidade Seguros and Pascual brand for supporting children's charity events and initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DStv (MultiChoice): MultiChoice's DStv is the most direct competitor to ZAP Satélite across sub-Saharan Africa, including Angola and Mozambique, offering satellite pay-TV bundles with comparable sports (including LaLiga rights historically) and international channel lineups via DTH.
• GOtv (MultiChoice): MultiChoice's mass-market DTT (digital terrestrial) pay-TV service competes head-to-head with ZAP's lower-tier satellite packages in Angola and Mozambique on price-sensitive prepaid customers.
• StarTimes: StarTimes is a pan-African pay-TV operator using DTT and DTH across multiple African markets including Angola and Mozambique, offering low-priced bundled TV that competes directly with ZAP Mini/Básico X and ZAP Mais tiers.
• TVCabo Angola: TVCabo Angola is the incumbent Angolan cable TV operator offering pay-TV and broadband in Luanda and other urban areas — a direct competitor to ZAP Fibra for residential and SMB fiber customers.

Broad incumbents

• Movicel: Movicel is one of Angola's mobile network operators and increasingly competes in fixed broadband and content distribution; its scale and mobile customer base make it a broader incumbent threat to ZAP's connectivity and video revenue.
• Unitel: Unitel is Angola's leading mobile operator and is increasingly active in fiber, content, and digital services; its enormous mobile subscriber base gives it structural leverage to bundle or undercut ZAP in both residential and enterprise connectivity.

Emerging players

• Showmax (MultiChoice): MultiChoice's Showmax streaming service offers SVOD across Africa including Angola and Mozambique, competing for the same discretionary entertainment spend as ZAP's Videoclube and fiber IPTV on-demand content.
• Netflix: Netflix is the global SVOD leader with growing penetration in Angola and Mozambique; it competes for video time and ARPU with ZAP Satélite and ZAP Fibra customers, particularly via smartphone viewing.

Regional players

• Movitel: Movitel is one of Mozambique's leading telecom operators offering mobile, fixed, and bundled services; it competes with ZAP's Mozambique satellite and fiber operations as a regional connectivity incumbent.
• Tmcel (Mozambique Telecom): Tmcel is Mozambique's incumbent fixed-line and mobile operator with growing fiber and TV ambitions; it competes with ZAP in Mozambique's urban centers for both residential and enterprise connectivity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZAPAminhaTV
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ZAPaminhaTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/Zapaminhatv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zapaminhatv
• Instagraminstagram.com/zapaminhatv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZAP