Overwhelming demand for starlink in Kenya leads to suspension of new subscriptions
By Barack Oduor |
Information from Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) indicates that Starlink got over 8,000 customers in Kenya by June 30, 2024, accounting for a 0.5 per cent market share.
The scramble for internet services from Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink by Kenyans has seen the services suspended following network overload.
The scramble for services saw the company that made its debut in the country recently suspend new subscriptions to its internet services in Nairobi and surrounding areas.
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The decision by the company came after a section of users in the greater Nairobi metropolitan area raised concerns about the company's failure to provide residential, business, and ROAM service plans.
In their response to the complaining customers, the tech company indicated that it was overwhelmed with users and their bandwidth and could not support any additional customers.
According to the company, Nairobi and neighbouring areas are currently at network capacity. "This means that too many subscribers are seeking to access the Starlink service within Nairobi and there isn't enough bandwidth to support additional residential or roaming customers at this time,” the company’s statement read in part.
To find out if your area qualifies currently for residential service, Starlink directed subscribers to its official websites to check availability. According to the data available, the mapping, however, shows that the Nairobi metropolis was sold out.
“No roaming plans are available in Kenya at this time. Starlink is working to restore service in the disrupted areas and a notification will be sent once the residential plan is back,” Starlink added.
Other affected areas include Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, parts of Murang'a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos and sections of Narok.
The company also gave additional information that the affordable packages were out of stock and only those charging above Sh130,000 per month were available.
Starlink got into the Kenyan market in July 2023 with a huge promise of internet connection at low prices.
Starlink's uptake has however been good. This is partly due to its ability to support services in areas not possible with terrestrial solutions such as North Eastern parts of Kenya.
Because of the expensive cost of the kit, the company began a rental service of Starlink kit for Sh1,950 a month or purchase the kit at Sh45,500.
Information from Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) indicates that Starlink got over 8,000 customers in Kenya by June 30, 2024, accounting for a 0.5 per cent market share.
As of August 2024, the package for residential homes in Kenya for unlimited high-speed, low-latency internet data was Sh6,500 per month.
The roaming package goes for Sh14,000 per month and its features include unlimited mobile data inland, portability, and pause Service.
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