Kenya’s dominant mobile operator, Safaricom, has significantly increased the speed of its fiber internet packages. This strategic move comes in direct response to the growing popularity of Starlink’s satellite internet service in the country’s telecom market.
The telecom giant now offers 15 megabits per second (Mbps) as its base internet connection speed for KES 3,000 (approx. $23), instead of the previous 10Mbps. The telecom giant upgraded the 20Mbps plan to 30Mbps and doubled the 40Mbps plan to 80Mbps. Meanwhile, the 100Mbps plan now provides customers 500Mbps for KES,500 (approx. $97).
In addition, Safaricom offers a 1Gbps connection for KES 20,000 (approx. $155), claiming the title of the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide gigabit speeds.
We have enhanced our Home Internet Speeds to meet the increasing demand and usage, providing reliable connectivity and enhanced value for our customers.
Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO in a statement on Monday.
Safaricom Vs Starlink
The company implemented these immediate upgrades in response to Starlink’s arrival in the country’s telecom market in June 2023. The Elon Musk-owned telecom company boasts of providing internet connection speeds of up to 200Mbps for KES 6,500 (approx. $50). Starlink also launched a 50 GB plan for KES 1,300 (approx. $10.16) and an affordable rental option for customers unable to purchase the Starlink Kit, priced at KES 45,000 (approx. $351.62).
Not surprisingly, Starlink registered over 4,000 customers by June 2024. This, however, made Safaricom seek new means of reducing or eliminating the momentum that Starlink was gaining.
On June 15, 2024, Kenya’s leading telecom company Safaricom, filed a request to the Communications Authority (CA) asking it to block international independent satellite internet providers, emphasis on Starlink, from obtaining operating licenses in Kenya.
The regulators initially supported Safaricom, stating that the telecom company was right to raise concerns, but eventually denied the request.
According to Kenyan President William Ruto, he allowed Starlink in Kenya, to create competition in the broadband market as Safaricom enjoyed a monopoly for a long time.
Starlink continues to operate in Kenya with the support of the Kenyan President. Safaricom will continue developing strategies to make the Kenyan government see this as a bad idea.