Starlink, Elon Musk‘s satellite internet company, has disclosed plans to launch in Kenya in the second quarter of 2023. The firm is only awaiting service coverage and regulatory approval.
In a statement, Starlink said Kenyans will be able to order the service with a $99 deposit which is refundable once approved. Customers will be charged an additional $499 plus tax for the Starlink kit.
The Starlink kit comes equipped with a Starlink dish, mounting tripod, WiFi router, power supply and cables.
“Starlink is targeting service in your area starting Q2 2023. Availability is subject to regulatory approval. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come-first-served basis,” the statement read in part.
The company’s entry into Kenya is expected to pose new competition to local internet service providers Safaricom, Zuku and Faiba. Starlink’s target areas include Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru.
According to SpaceX’s interactive coverage map, Starlink’s service is already available in 44 countries around the world.
The firm’s target market is primarily customers who struggle to access the internet through traditional landlines. The service aims at reaching such customers by using satellites to send signals rather than relying on fibre optic cables.
Since its launch in 2019, the company has launched more than 3000 satellites into low-Earth orbit. The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites have the capacity to provide high-speed internet services of up to 150Mbps.
