Elon Musk-owned Starlink Internet has made a significant impact in the Kenyan market just a year after entering the scene. The satellite internet provider has posed stiff competition to leading telecommunications firm Safaricom and other internet service providers in the country. Safaricom, in particular, has raised concerns over the growing influence of Starlink and has urged the government to regulate the satellite internet industry.
Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market has disrupted the status quo by reducing its installation cost and monthly subscription fee. The company announced discounted offers for its hardware kits, making them more accessible to Kenyans. The installation fee was slashed from KSh 89,000 to KSh 29,000, and the kits are now available at Naivas Supermarket. Additionally, Starlink has promised a new package called Starlink Mini, which will cost half the price of its 50GB Standard Plan.
This move has put pressure on Kenya’s leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom. Safaricom, for example, offers a range of home packages with varying speeds and prices. The company has also expanded its 5G connectivity by building over 1,000 sites across all 47 counties to stay competitive in the market.
Airtel Kenya and Telkom also offer internet packages with different data limits and prices to cater to the needs of their customers. Meanwhile, Zuku Internet, provided by Wananchi Group (K) Limited, offers internet packages with speeds ranging from 10 to 500Mbps. Faiba Internet, offered by Jamii Telecommunications Limited, provides home and business plans with varying speeds and prices.
In response to the growing competition, Starlink has introduced a monthly rental option for its kits, allowing more Kenyans to access their services. Buyers only need to pay a one-time activation charge of KSh 2,700 and a monthly rental fee of KSh 1,950 without a time limit. This move is aimed at making Starlink more affordable and accessible to a wider range of customers.
Overall, Elon Musk’s Starlink has significantly disrupted the internet market in Kenya, posing a challenge to established players like Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom. With its competitive pricing and innovative solutions, Starlink continues to attract customers and reshape the industry landscape. It remains to be seen how other ISPs will respond to this new competition and adapt to the changing market dynamics.