Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile operator, has reportedly upgraded the speed of its fiber internet packages in a competitive move to counter Starlink’s growing influence in the Kenyan broadband market.
The company has upgraded its 10 megabits per second (Mbps) connection to 15 Mbps for KES 3,000 ($23), while the 20 Mbps plan now offers 30 Mbps. Customers on the 40 Mbps plan have seen their speeds doubled to 80 Mbps, and the 100 Mbps package has been significantly increased to 500 Mbps for KES 12,500 ($97). Additionally, Safaricom has introduced gigabit speeds (1 Gbps) for KES 20,000 ($155), making it the first internet service provider (ISP) in Kenya to offer such high-speed connections.
Also, the telecom giant has unveiled a bundled family share plan, combining mobile voice, data, SMS, and home internet into a single package that can be shared among up to five family members. This new offering provides a discount of up to 20% compared to purchasing separate plans.
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“We have enhanced our Home Internet speeds to meet the increasing demand and usage, providing reliable connectivity and enhanced value for our customers,” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa stated in a press release.
Beyond residential customers, Safaricom is extending dedicated internet plans to businesses, offering solutions from a 15 Mbps shared option for micro-enterprises to a 100 Mbps plan for growing businesses. The company is also expanding its 4G and 5G coverage to areas beyond fiber reach, aiming to meet the needs of households in underserved regions.
Safaricom’s upgrade in Internet speed has sparked reactions from Kenya Netizens on X (formerly Twitter). See some reactions below;
@kim_b10245 wrote,
“Starlink intensifies, Safaricom has been forced to increase its internet speeds across all packages without increasing Prices. Safaricom has also launched a new Platinum package with 1Gbps for KES 20,000 Per Month. Let nobody lie to you that Competition is bad!”
@Fredorwa wrote,
“Starlink entry causing a major industry disruption timing messing up especially Safaricom which is yet to recoup the heavy investment in running home fiber networks in several residential quarters, not to mention 5G investment”.
@Mongela_h wrote,
“Safaricom now is fighting Starlink with good service charges, wow this is Africa”.
Safaricom’s recent enhancements in its internet speed come in direct response to Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market in 2023. Recall that within a year, Starlink registered over 4,000 customers, offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps at KES 6,500 ($50) and a 50GB package for KES 1,300.
This saw Safaricom raise concerns about the regulatory environment surrounding the entry of the satellite internet provider. The company urged the Kenyan government to implement stricter regulations, calling for the apprehension about the possibility of them receiving independent licenses.
In a formal letter addressed to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), Safaricom urged the regulator to consider requiring satellite providers to partner with local mobile network operators. Safaricom’s concerns are centered on the potential risks of satellite coverage extending across multiple borders, which could lead to unauthorized service provision within Kenya. The company warned that such practices could result in “harmful interference” with local telecommunications services.