Lower than a 12 months after Starlink launched in Kenya in July 2023, the variety of customers has multiplied greater than tenfold, signalling quick adoption of the Elon Musk-owned web service. Three months earlier than the launch, the nation had solely 405 satellite tv for pc web customers; that quantity grew to 1,354 two months after Starlink’s arrival and greater than tripled to 4,808 in March 2024, per knowledge from Kenya’s ICT watchdog, the Communications Authority (CA).
Starlink’s excessive speeds of over 100 megabits per second (Mbps) have contributed to a progress in satellite tv for pc web use. Satellite tv for pc web providers are significantly engaging to clients not served by conventional broadband suppliers akin to Safaricom, and Telkom Kenya. These clients embody area of interest company purchasers with wants past customary fibre or mounted broadband and residents in distant, “upcountry” places the place conventional infrastructure is missing.
“The launch of Starlink’s web providers within the nation performed a serious function in driving the uptake of broadband providers. Typically, the sector is anticipated to continue to grow following the rollout of recent applied sciences and providers,” the report acknowledged.
The info exhibits a shift in Kenyan satellite tv for pc web utilization. Over 93% of customers now use high-speed web plans, starting from 100 Mbps to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), which solely Starlink gives. This can be a important change in comparison with conventional choices, though most broadband customers nonetheless use native web service suppliers with decrease speeds.
Starlink’s recognition has been accelerated by its potential to serve clients unhappy with the choices of established gamers preferring serving clients in city areas. The corporate promised to offer broadband providers past the attain of those conventional suppliers, and it has grow to be a preferred selection for this area of interest market.
Whereas Starlink is Kenya’s newest main satellite tv for pc service supplier, there are different gamers, together with Skynet and NTvsat, available in the market. Safaricom, Kenya’s greatest telco, announced plans for a satellite tv for pc service a 12 months in the past however hasn’t launched it but.