In late June, Elon Musk promised that Starlink Mini would soon be available in Kenya. The anticipation grew after he responded to a query on his X (formerly Twitter) account, though he withheld the exact launch date and pricing details.
Now, barely a week after Safaricom made significant adjustments to its Home and Business Fibre speeds, Starlink has officially introduced the Starlink Mini in Kenya, fulfilling Musk’s earlier promise.
What is Starlink Mini?
Starlink Mini is designed for portability and ease of use, distinguishing it from the Standard Kit. With its compact form factor, the Mini features an antenna approximately the size of a 14-inch laptop and an integrated Wi-Fi router, reducing its bulk.
Powered by a 100W USB-C PD connection, the Mini is compatible with various power banks, enhancing its portability.
Also Read: Starlink Mini vs Starlink Standard: What’s the difference?
Another standout feature of the Starlink Mini is its ease of setup. Starlink claims that users can have the device up and running within just five minutes, making it an ideal solution for those who frequently change locations.
Its compact size also means that it fits easily into a backpack, making it perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, and anyone who values flexible internet access.
Pricing and Affordability of Starlink Mini
One of the major selling points of the Starlink Mini is its affordability compared to the Standard Kit. Priced at KES 27,000, it is significantly cheaper than the Standard Kit, which costs KES 45,000.
Also Read: Safaricom launches new Home and Business Fibre internet packages
This price reduction is expected to lower the barrier for many Kenyans who have been deterred by the upfront hardware costs. With its lower price point, the Mini is poised to attract more customers.
New Starlink Plans for the Kenyan Market
Alongside the launch of Starlink Mini, Starlink introduced a new Residential Lite Plan, priced at KES 4,000 per month.
The Lite plan is deprioritized, meaning speeds may be slower during peak hours or when the network is congested. However, for those looking for an affordable internet solution, this could be a compelling option.
Below are other Starlink plans available in Kenya:
- Residential Plan – 50GB:
This plan offers 50 GB of data per month at speeds of up to 250 Mbps for KES 1,300. Additional data can be purchased for KES 20 per GB. - Unlimited Residential Plan:
With unlimited data, this plan provides speeds of up to 200 Mbps for KES 6,500 per month. - Roam Package:
Designed for travelers and RV enthusiasts, this plan provides unlimited inland data with portable equipment for KES 14,000 per month. - Mobile Priority Package:
This plan offers priority network access with 50 GB priced at KES 34,910 and 1 TB at KES 139,642. It’s ideal for users who require high-performance connectivity while on the move. - Business Solutions:
For businesses with high-volume connectivity needs, Starlink offers the Fixed Site Package, which includes 40 GB priority data for KES 8,000 per month, 1 TB for KES 13,572, and 2 TB for KES 27,144. Additional features include public IP support and priority customer service.
Starlink’s Growing Popularity in Kenya
Since entering the Kenyan market in June 2023, Starlink has launched several offers and introduced price changes to incentivize Kenyans to adopt its services.
With speeds of up to 200 Mbps and packages starting at KES 1,300, Starlink is rapidly gaining popularity. The company has also introduced a rental option for customers unable to afford the KES 45,000 upfront cost of the standard kit.
Kenyans have responded positively to Starlink’s entry, with over 4,000 customers registered by June 2023. Schools, companies, and county governments have also embraced the service. For example, Murang’a County has installed Starlink in offices and hospitals, while the Nairobi County government has adopted Starlink at City Hall.
Impact on Safaricom and the Local Market
The rise of Starlink in Kenya has not gone unnoticed by local internet service providers. Safaricom, one of Kenya’s leading ISPs, sought to curb competition by requesting the Communications Authority to block Starlink and other foreign satellite internet providers.
However, the regulator supported Safaricom’s proposal.
In response to the growing competition, Safaricom also recently doubled its fibre internet speeds and introduced Kenya’s first gigabit internet service at KES 20,000.
Despite Safaricom’s attempts to maintain its market dominance, the introduction of Starlink Mini is likely to send further ripples through the local broadband market, offering Kenyan consumers more choices in high-speed internet.
Starlink Mini Specifications and Features
- Size and Weight: The Starlink Mini measures approximately 16.92 x 13.14 x 3.11 inches (about the size of a laptop) and weighs around 1.1 kgs, making it significantly lighter than the standard Starlink dish.
- Power Requirements: It operates on a power input of 12-48 V, consuming an average of 25-40 watts, which is about half the power consumption of the standard dish. It can be powered via a USB battery, enhancing its portability.
- Connectivity: The device includes a built-in Wi-Fi router (Wi-Fi 5) capable of connecting up to 128 devices. It also features one Ethernet port for wired connections.
- Durability: The Mini is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, designed to withstand harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow.
- Performance: Users can expect download speeds of up to 100 Mbps with a latency around 23 ms, which is comparable to many fiber optic connections. The device can handle basic internet applications effectively.
