Starlink to launch in Kenya, what it means for competitors

Elon Musk-owned, SpaceX, has announced plans to launch Starlink, its satellite Internet service, in Kenya, pending regulatory approval.

The US-based exploration company aims to provide dependable internet service in remote areas worldwide. It has already launched in Africa, with some Nigerians testing the innovative but expensive internet service.

SpaceX states service will be available in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru, among other cities, from June 2023. However, Kenyans can pre-order the service and deposit a fully refundable deposit of Sh12,260 ($99) to reserve it if approved.

Read also: Elon Musk’s Starlink to charge Nigerians $600 for hardware setup

“Order now to reserve your Starlink. Starlink is targeting service in your area starting in Q2 2023. Availability is subject to regulatory approval. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis,” the company stated.

The Starlink kit, including a Starlink dish, a mounting tripod, a WiFi router, a power supply, and cables, will reportedly cost $499 (Sh73,677).

Internet service in Kenya

Kenya is home to one of the fastest-growing tech ecosystems in Africa. The rise of several startups and innovations has earned the country the nickname “Silicon Valley of Africa.” For this tech revolution to be completely televised, it is pertinent that there is a stable and affordable internet supply.

In the same vein, the Kenyan content industry is ever-expanding, and the future of content consumption is streaming. Already, Kenyan residents are using platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and other content streaming platforms to enjoy local and international content.

The country’s most popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) include Safaricom, Airtel, Zuku, and Faiba. While Safaricom, the leading internet service provider in Kenya, has spent billions of shillings over the past few years on providing affordable internet for residents, it has built its system using fibre optic cables.

Read also: Telco giant, Safaricom launches East Africa’s first 5G service in Kenya

In the past few years, Safaricom has suffered some setbacks that have affected the internet service to its customers. While these issues have reduced in recent years, and the firm became the first to launch 5G service in East Africa last year, the arrival of a product like Starlink, which delivers internet from satellites, is likely to provide much better service to the ever-growing demand from the Kenyan market.

The competition between Starlink and other ISPs is good for Kenya

The best thing about the entry of a new player in the internet providers market in Kenya is that there are more options for the customers. While Safaricom and other ISPs may not be able to provide the same internet quality as Starlink, they can take advantage of their cheaper products to get more customers.

As technext reported, Starlink may not be for all. This is an opportunity for the other internet service providers in Kenya to improve their infrastructure and quality and take advantage of their cheap costs to retain their current customers, most of whom would prefer not to shell out hundreds of dollars for internet anyways.