The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has stated that Safaricom was within its rights to express concerns about the licensing of independent satellite providers such as Starlink.
CA mentioned that licensees or service providers have the freedom to bring up any issues to the ICT regulator.
Recently, Safaricom requested that the regulator prevent satellite ISPs with operations in other countries, potentially affecting Starlink, the largest satellite internet provider in Kenya. CA will investigate Safaricom’s concerns, although industry experts caution that this move could hinder Kenya’s progress in expanding internet access and lowering data costs.
Safaricom raised apprehensions about security risks to the country if these companies are allowed to operate without a physical presence or local partnerships. This could lead to a lack of government control in ensuring compliance with regulations.
CA assured that it will examine these issues within its regulatory framework to promote growth in the ICT sector. Safaricom did not offer an immediate response to requests for comments.
Safaricom holds a significant market share in Kenya’s data market, followed by Jamii Telecommunications and Wananchi Group. The company has made substantial investments in fiber optic infrastructure, connecting hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
The expansion of Starlink, with its faster speeds and competitive prices, may pose a challenge to Safaricom’s data business growth. Safaricom’s data revenue increased while call revenues declined, consistent with recent trends.
If Starlink continues to operate in Kenya, its new satellite services could disrupt local telcos’ call and messaging services by offering alternative communication channels.
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