Elon Musk-owned satellite internet Starlink, is growing rapidly in Kenya after the subscription grew by 1,955.3%, a year after the launch of the internet service in Kenya.
According to a new report from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), Starlink’s entry into the East African country has propelled the rapid growth of satellite internet usage, with subscriptions rising from just 405 in June 2022 to 8,324 by June 2024. This represents a 73.1% increase from March 2024 of 4,808 subscribers.
The growth in the subscription of Starlink has propelled the satellite internet to become the country’s tenth-largest internet service provider (ISP). The Elon Musk-owned Internet service which was licensed in July 2023, to provide satellite Internet services had a market share of 0.5 percent as of 30th June 2024.
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The fourth-quarter industry statistics report highlights that by June 2024, satellite data subscribers had grown significantly. The CA noted that 96.9% of satellite customers are now subscribed to high-speed connections, with speeds ranging between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
Safaricom, a leading provider of converged communication solutions in Kenya, continues to lead the country’s internet service market, holding a 36.4% share in the fourth quarter of 2024. Jami Telecommunications Ltd and Wananchi Group follow with 24,0% and 17.5%, respectively. Other players like Poa Internet, Mawingu, Vilcom, Dimension Data, and Liquid Telecommunications Kenya collectively accounts for 13.2%, 2.6%, 1.5%, 1.1%, and 1.0%, respectively. Starlink and Vijiji Connect both hold 0,5% of the market share as they continue to expand.
In response to rising internet demand, the total international bandwidth capacity in Kenya increased by 2.4% to 21,244.338 Gbps by the end of June 2024. SEACOM Ltd, one of the key providers, added additional capacity during this period. The utilization of undersea bandwidth capacity surged by 31.3%, recording 14,644.284 Gbps in total usage. Of this, 55% (11,690.464 Gbps) was used domestically, while 13.9% (2,953,820 Gbps) was sold outside the country.
The launch of Starlink has also led to a remarkable increase in satellite internet capacity, rising from 48.438 Gbps to 840,448 Gbps, a staggering 1,635.1% growth, showcasing the significant impact of Starlink’s services in meeting the growing internet demand across Kenya.
The Elon-Musk-owned satellite internet is reportedly one of the fastest expansions for any ISP in Kenya, driven by strong public interest in its availability in underserved regions. In a competitive local landscape where new ISPs often take years to gain traction, Starlink’s rise signals a demand for internet access among customers previously overlooked by established providers.
Recall that following the launch of Starlink in Kenya, leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, raised concerns about the regulatory environment surrounding the entry of satellite internet providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The company urged the Kenyan government to implement stricter regulations for these providers, calling for 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.
In response to Starlink’s entry, Safaricom, which controls 36.7% of Kenya’s broadband market, upgraded its fiber Internet speeds to stay competitive. Its 10 Mbps package now offers 15 Mbps at $23 (KSh 3,000), while its highest-tier plan offers a new 1 Gbps connection at $155 (KSh 20,000). Similarly, customers on the 20 Mbps plan have been upgraded to 30 Mbps for the same price, the 40 Mbps package has been doubled to 80 Mbps at $49 (KSh 6,300), and the premium 100 Mbps package has been increased fivefold to 500 Mbps at $97 (KSh 12,500) per month.
Meanwhile, in a recent development, Safaricom has confirmed ongoing discussions with Starlink and other satellite providers, signaling a shift in strategy as competition heats up in its home market, where the telco has long maintained a dominant position.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom disclosed that the company is considering partnerships with Starlink or other satellite providers to ensure cutting-edge technology integration.