Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet company has released a new, cheaper data plan for the Kenyan market. This is a big problem for Safaricom and Airtel, the biggest telecom companies in Kenya.
Starlink’s 50 GB data package costs Ksh1,300 a month, less than half of what Airtel charges for a similar deal, which costs Ksh3,000.
On the other hand, Safaricom is the industry leader and charges Ksh2,500 per month for 45 GB.
However, Starlink’s service costs more upfront: users must pay Ksh45,500 for the hardware they need to install to use the service.
In contrast, local telcos use an approach where users only need to activate a registered SIM card.
Starlink shakes up the internet market with faster and cheaper plans
Along with US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman (right) and a Starlink official, President William Ruto (center) takes a picture after a meeting in Los Angeles on September 16, 2023. PHOTO/Thank you
A message on Starlink’s website says, “Affordable, high-speed internet with 50GB of data included for Sh1,300/month (opt-in for additional data at Sh20/GB).”
The notice also says that users can now pay with M-Pesa and Airtel Money, both mobile money services.
Even though it costs more initially, Starlink’s move into the Kenyan market is likely to make it more competitive, which could lower the prices of high-speed internet services in the country.
How Starlink Does It
Elon Musk introduced Starlink to Kenya for the first time in July 2023. Kenya is the fourth African country to receive the service after Nigeria, Rwanda, and Mozambique.
Starlink uses a vast network of small satellites in low earth orbit, which differs from standard fiber-powered network connections.
With satellites and user hardware, people worldwide can connect to the Internet quickly and easily, watch videos, play games, make video calls, and more.
As stated on the business website, Starlink was created to provide internet access to remote areas, such as rural areas, where it is currently unavailable or ineffective.
“Not limited by traditional ground infrastructure, Star Link can bring high-speed broadband internet to places where it has been unreliable or unavailable at all,” the company said on its website.
How much does Starlink cost?
In Kenya, people who want to use Starlink must buy a satellite dish and other necessary gear, which costs about Ksh89,000 (not including shipping).
Once set up, the dishes automatically line up with passing satellites, ensuring that the internet link stays stable and constant.
But in October 2023, Starlink lowered the price of its installation hardware kit in Kenya by 55.6%, which was a big deal.
Starlink has three different types of internet plans:
This is the Starlink Standard plan, which is best for homes. It costs Ksh6500 a month plus Ksh45,000 for the hardware and comes with unlimited high-speed/low-latency internet.
Starlink Priority: This package is best for businesses and users who frequently access the Internet. It gives you network priority, priority help, a public IP address, and faster internet speeds.
The tools cost between Ksh 8,000 and Ksh 27,000 a month, plus Ksh 377,000.
Starlink Mobile: This plan is best for people always on the go. It usually comes with portability, pause service, and an unlimited mobile data plan, among other things.
It costs Ksh 14,000 a month and Ksh 45,500 to buy the furniture.
