Purchasing Starlink Kits from a different region than where it will be used is set to attract an activation fee called, “outside region fee”. This activation fee will also be charged to customers who buy the Starlink kits from unauthorized vendors. Starlink, owned by SpaceX, has 6 regions and one has to pay if kit is bought from a different regions. This fee also applies for Kenya which is in the Africa region.
“Starlink Kits activated outside of the region they were originally sold in are subject to an “Outside Region Fee”. If you purchased a Starlink Kit from an unauthorized reseller, it is possible that the Outside Region Fee may apply to your order,” states the company.
For its 6 regions namely: US/Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, the activation fee charged for the Standard Kit is USD 200 and Standard Actuated Mini Kit is USD 300. Notably, Starlink states that the fee could be charged in either US dollars or the local currency, potentially resulting in higher costs due to currency exchange rates.
Authorized Starlink Vendors in Kenya
For Kenya, the outside region fee on the company’s chart is KES 25, 046.91 for the standard Kit and KES 37, 570. 36 for the Mini. This fee is aimed to discourage customers from buying outside their continent or using unauthorized vendors. Authorized Starlink vendors in Kenya are Elite Digital, Jumia, Naivas and Redington.
Madagascar, Malawi and Nigeria are the other countries in the African region that have authorized vendors. Zambia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Reunion, Mozambique, Mayotte, Madagascar,Benin and Eswatini are the other countries within the African region where clients can be charged the fee if they buy from outside the continent.
To avoid extra charges, Starlink advises purchasing kits through official channels, such as their website or authorized sellers in your region.
