Starlink has temporarily paused new subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding areas due to network capacity constraints. . With an influx of users and high demand, especially in the Nairobi metropolitan area, the network has reportedly reached its limit, causing bandwidth issues. In response, Elon Musk’s team at Starlink stated that new residential and roaming plans are unavailable in affected regions, which include areas like Thika, Kajiado, and Naivasha, among others.
On Monday, November 4, Elon Musk stated that Starlink is actively working to expand its network capacity in Nairobi as quickly as possible. He added that while capacity in city centers is currently maxed out, there remains ample capacity in areas outside the main urban zones.
Its entry in Kenya has been marked by rapid growth since its launch in July 2023. Promotions, like an affordable monthly rental option of (KES 1,950), have contributed to a tenfold increase in users. However, this rapid growth has also stirred competition with local ISPs. Safaricom has raised concerns with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), requesting restrictions on satellite internet providers like Starlink unless they collaborate with local companies. Safaricom argues that operations without local partnerships could create regulatory and competitive disadvantages for Kenyan providers.
Recent Market Developments
In a significant counter-move this September, Safaricom doubled speeds across its fiber packages:-
15 Mbps connection at KES 3,000 (upgraded from 10 Mbps)
30 Mbps connection (upgraded from 20 Mbps)
80 Mbps connection (doubled from 40 Mbps)
500 Mbps package at KES 12,500 (increased from 100 Mbps)
Introduction of Kenya’s first 1000Mbps (1 Gbps) platinum plan at KES 20,000
The telco also launched the Family Share plan, combining mobile voice, data, SMS, and home internet into a single package shareable among up to five household members, targeting heavy users such as gamers and content creators.
Starlink’s Current Price Offerings in Kenya.
Starlink maintains its competitive pricing with:-
Standard Starlink Kit at KSh 45,000
New Starlink Mini Kit at KSh 27,000 (up to 100Mbps)
Monthly subscription options:-
Starlink Standard – 50GB plan at KES 1,300
Unlimited 100Mbps plan at KES 6,500
How Starlink operates
Starlink provides the internet through a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit closer to Earth (around 550 to 1,200 kilometers above) than traditional satellites. This proximity reduces latency and improves speeds compared to typical satellite internet. Here’s a look at how Starlink operates:
- LEO Satellites: Starlink’s satellites circle Earth quickly due to their lower orbit, allowing faster data transmission rates. This network approach provides speeds up to 300 Mbps with lower latency, suitable for real-time activities like video calls and gaming.
- User Terminals: Subscribers use a Starlink kit, which includes a dish (or terminal) that connects to Starlink satellites. The dish automatically aligns with satellites in the area and shifts to maintain optimal connections as satellites move overhead.
- Ground Stations: Starlink also uses ground-based infrastructure for better connectivity. These stations act as relays between satellites and the global internet, ensuring that data gets from users to the internet quickly.
- Global Coverage: With over 4,000 satellites already in orbit, Starlink aims to provide global coverage, especially targeting rural or remote regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
As it works to expand capacity, the temporary suspension demonstrates its commitment to maintaining quality service rather than overloading the network.
