In a remarkable development, the number of Kenyans utilizing satellite internet services more than doubled in the three months leading up to December 2023.
This surge can be attributed to the entry of Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, into the Kenyan market in July of the same year.
According to a new report from the Communications Authority of Kenya, the number of satellite internet users rose from a modest 1,354 in the quarter ending September 2023 to a staggering 2,933 in the subsequent quarter that concluded in December.
This significant uptick in adoption occurred shortly after Starlink launched its services in Kenya, reflecting a heightened interest in this cutting-edge technology that has traditionally been the domain of large corporations and niche users.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Remote Areas
Satellite internet, which harnesses the power of space satellites to provide internet connectivity, has proven to be an invaluable asset in remote areas where traditional terrestrial providers, such as cable or fixed wireless links, are not readily available.
Recognizing this opportunity, Starlink positioned itself as a solution for underserved regions, aiming to bridge the digital divide in areas where competition from urban internet service providers is intense.
In a move that signals Starlink’s commitment to expanding access to satellite internet across sub-Saharan Africa, the company plans to open its first physical office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Defying Skepticism with Enthusiastic Reception
While some experts initially expressed skepticism about Starlink’s prospects due to the high initial and subscription fees associated with the service, the company appears to have defied these doubts, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception it has received from Kenyan consumers.
Notably, the number of satellite internet users in Kenya crossed the 1,000 mark for the first time during the July–September quarter of 2023, coinciding with Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market – a clear indication that its launch sparked increased interest in this innovative technology.
Starlink’s debut also seems to have ushered in a shift towards higher internet speeds, with a staggering 92% of users now enjoying speeds ranging from 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) to 1 gigabyte per second (Gbps).
This represents a significant departure from the norm in Kenya’s fixed internet services, where the majority of subscribers typically utilize browsing speeds between 10 and 30 Mbps.
During the period under review, Kenya’s satellite internet capacity, which reflects the total internet access speed that the technology can provide per second, increased by an impressive 4.9%, reaching 0.448 Gbps.
Competitive Landscape
Interestingly, Starlink is not the sole player in Kenya’s satellite internet market. Other prominent providers include Vizocom, Telkom’s Skynet, NTvsat, and Globaltt, among others.
Additionally, Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, has expressed plans to venture into the satellite internet business after forging a partnership with AST SpaceMobile, a prominent Starlink rival, in the previous year.
As satellite internet technology continues to evolve and gain traction, Kenya is poised to witness further developments in this dynamic sector, potentially unlocking new opportunities for connectivity and bridging the digital divide in remote and underserved regions.
You can download the full report here.
