Starlink, the satellite internet service provider owned by Elon Musk, has announced a temporary suspension of new subscriptions in Nairobi, Kenya, and six other counties due to high demand which has caused network overload.
The satellite internet disclosed that too many users are trying to access the service, which is affecting bandwidth and preventing them from supporting additional residential or roaming customers at this time.
The affected areas include Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, parts of Murang’a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos, and sections of Narok. The Elon Musk Internet confirmed that its network capacity in these regions is currently full, limiting its ability to accommodate additional users.
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“No roaming plans are available in Kenya at this time. Starlink is working to restore service in the disrupted areas and a notification will be sent once the residential plan is back,” Starlink wrote.
In line with this, the company has temporarily halted the sale of its affordable residential plans and roaming services in Kenya. Only higher-tier plans, priced above Ksh130,000 per month, are currently available. Customers in Nairobi and other affected counties have expressed concerns about the company failing to provide roaming service plans through which they could bypass the restrictions affecting the regions.
Commenting on Starlink’s decision to halt new subscriptions in Nairobi, several Kenyan netizens wrote on X,
@reallwarrior wrote,
“This is good, Kenyans are embracing better service. Starlink up your game, Kenya is a strong market.”
@GachanjaAaron wrote,
“Safaricom will soon be a thing of the past”.
@wagakiafricana wrote,
“Good problems though, it shows the growing demand for reliable internet access in our NAIROBI. It’s essential for companies to address infrastructure challenges as more people rely on high-speed internet for work and daily life. I hope they can find solutions soon so that everyone can benefit from their service. Access to reliable internet is crucial for connectivity and progress.”
Starlink is actively working to address the network capacity issues and restore normal service to affected areas. Customers are advised to monitor updates from the company for further information.
Notably, Starlink network congestion has also impacted its roaming services across Africa. The company has reportedly removed several African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, from its list of supported roaming destinations.
Starlink customers in these regions have reported slower-than-expected download speeds, often in the low double-digit Mbps range. Additionally, there are concerns that misuse of roaming plans in unsupported countries could lead to a permanent shutdown of the feature.
In Kenya, Starlink terminals have flown off the shelves in Nairobi. Terminals are no longer available in Lusaka, Zambia.
Reports reveal that in Zimbabwe, Starlink terminals were sold out in the country’s capital Harare, less than two months after receiving permission from authorities to operate in the southern African nation. Harare now joins five cities in Nigeria which include its capital of Abuja as well as Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri where the high-speed internet service has sold out, according to a map on Starlink’s website.
The rapid sellout of Starlink terminals across several African countries, signals a growing demand for reliable internet access, fuelled by a significant drop in the price of the kits that have rattled the continent’s telecoms providers, prompting them to review and slash their pricing strategies. Also they have been forced to increase their internet speed.