Kenya has become one of the first East African countries to access Starlink, a satellite internet service powered by SpaceX, the space technology company founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The company announced on its website that it has launched its service in Kenya in the second quarter of 2023, after receiving regulatory approval.
| Plan | One-time equipment fee Starlink Kit | Monthly subscription fee | Total cost |
| Residential | KES74,216 ($599) | KES1,476 ($119) | KES88,992 ($718) |
| Business | KES95,720 ($750) | KES1,751 ($143) | KES113,271 ($893) |
Starlink aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet service to remote and underserved areas of the world, using a constellation of thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth at a low altitude.
The company claims that its service can enable activities that have not been possible with traditional satellite internet, such as streaming, video calls and online gaming.
Starlink will face competition from existing internet service providers in Kenya, such as Safaricom, which has invested heavily in building its fixed-data network to connect homes and businesses.
However, Starlink may have an edge in reaching areas that are not covered by fibre optic cables or cellular networks.
To access Starlink’s service, customers will need to install the Starlink Kit by following instructions on the Starlink app, which also helps customers find the best location for the dish with a clear view of the sky.
Starlink’s entry into Kenya is part of its global expansion strategy, which has seen it launch its service in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe.
The company has also applied for licenses to operate in other African countries, such as Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Starlink is one of Musk’s ambitious projects to advance humanity’s exploration and colonization of space.
His other ventures include Tesla, an electric vehicle and clean energy company; Neuralink, a brain-computer interface company; and The Boring Company, a tunnel construction company.
Musk celebrated Starlink’s launch in Kenya by tweeting: “Starlink for sale in Kenya! Note, buying a Starlink with global roaming allows you to travel almost anywhere.” He also encouraged Kenyans to share their feedback and experiences with the service.
Order starlink here