If you are in Kenya and find it challenging to purchase the Starlink internet kit, there is now an option to rent the hardware for a monthly fee of $15.15 (KES1,950). The rental service was introduced by the company recently.
Individuals interested in renting the Starlink kit, originally priced at $350 (KES 45,000), will also need to pay a one-time activation fee of $21. They can select either a 50GB plan for $10 (KES 1,300) or an unlimited package for $50.50 (KES 6,500). Both plans offer internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps.
In June 2024, Starlink rolled out a new budget-friendly monthly package priced at $10 (KES 1,300), prompting local internet service providers (ISPs) to introduce competitive promotions to maintain their customer base.
Since its launch in Kenya in July 2023, the number of Starlink users has significantly increased, indicating a positive reception of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. Starlink now competes with existing providers such as Skynet and NTvsat.
Before Starlink’s entry into the market, Kenya had only 405 satellite internet subscribers. This number surged to 1,354 within two months of Starlink’s arrival and continued to grow to over 4,808 by March 2024, according to data from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA).
The presence of Starlink in Kenya has prompted established ISPs to enhance their services to retain existing customers and attract new ones.
For instance, Safaricom, which had over 522,000 fixed data subscriptions as of March 2024, started offering 4G and 5G routers to reach customers beyond its fiber network coverage. Additionally, Jamii Telecoms, the second-largest provider in fixed data subscriptions, has expanded its services to the outskirts of Nairobi to compete more effectively in the home internet market.
Starlink’s popularity has been driven by its ability to cater to customers dissatisfied with the limited offerings of traditional ISPs, especially in rural areas. The company’s commitment to providing broadband services in areas underserved by existing providers has made it a preferred choice among consumers.