Afrigather Safaricom, Kenya’s greatest telco, has requested the Communications Authority (CA) to dam satellite tv for pc web suppliers with operations in different international locations. The transfer might lock out Elon Musk-owned Starlink which has seen elevated adoption on account of promotions and cheaper month-to-month plans.
“We suggest that the CA as an alternative contemplate mandating that satellite tv for pc service suppliers to solely function in Kenya topic to such suppliers establishing settlement with an present native licensee,” Safaricom stated in a memo seen by TechCabal.
Within the July 15 memo, Safaricom requested the regulator to evaluate the dangers of permitting satellite tv for pc web suppliers to function with out an settlement with native firms.
Safaricom didn’t instantly reply to a request for feedback.
“Satellite tv for pc service suppliers ought to due to this fact not be granted a license straight/independently however moderately solely permitted to function beneath the license rights of the native licensee.”
The telco stated permitting the satellite tv for pc ISPs to function with out a bodily native presence would make it laborious for the federal government to manage their operations.
CA didn’t instantly reply to a request for feedback.
Since its launch in 2023, Starlink has relied on third events and resellers to distribute their {hardware} and join customers, a difficulty Safaricom raised of their memo to CA.
Via reductions on its {hardware} and the introduction of a less expensive $10 month-to-month plan, information from CA reveals that Starlink customers grew tenfold in Q1 2024. On August 21, Starlink launched a $15 month-to-month equipment rental plan for customers who can not afford $350 to buy the {hardware}.
Starlink’s rising recognition has pushed present native gamers to extend advertising and marketing to retain prospects. Safaricom, which has talked about launching a satellite tv for pc web service, has a agency grip on the information market, with a 36.7% market share.
Starlink didn’t instantly reply to a request for feedback.
“Granting a license to an entity that can usually function in Kenya with out having a bodily presence within the nation (by way of third-party companions/resellers solely. This could imply negligible management for the federal government to make sure accountability for non-compliance points,” Safaricom stated.
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