Starlink suspends new signups across seven Kenyan counties

SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, has suspended new residential signups in seven Kenyan counties, including Nairobi, after demand outpaced the network's available capacity.

Prospective customers attempting to order the service in the affected areas are now greeted with a notice on Starlink's official website indicating that the service is "currently at capacity".

While new subscriptions have been paused, customers can still place a deposit to join a waitlist until additional network capacity becomes available.

According to Starlink, there is currently no estimated timeline for when service will resume in the affected regions.

"Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. You can still place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist. We cannot provide an estimated timeframe for service availability, but our teams are working as quickly as possible to add more capacity."

The seven counties affected by the suspension are Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Murang'a, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu.

The move reflects Starlink's rapid growth in Kenya, where demand for high-speed satellite internet has surged among households, businesses, schools, and organisations seeking reliable connectivity in areas underserved by traditional internet providers.

Unlike terrestrial broadband providers, Starlink's service relies on a finite amount of satellite and ground network capacity in each geographic area.

Once a region reaches its operational limit, the company temporarily halts new activations until additional capacity is introduced through network optimisation or the deployment of more satellites.

Customers in the affected counties can still reserve a place in the queue by paying Starlink's standard deposit. Their orders will be fulfilled once capacity becomes available.

The suspension does not affect existing Starlink subscribers, who will continue receiving service as normal.

Kenya has emerged as one of Starlink's fastest-growing markets in Africa since the satellite internet provider launched commercial operations in the country.

The service has become particularly attractive to remote workers, businesses, educational institutions, and rural communities due to its ability to deliver high-speed internet without relying on fibre-optic or mobile network infrastructure.

The latest capacity constraints highlight both the growing popularity of Starlink in Kenya and the challenges of scaling satellite broadband to meet increasing demand.

As SpaceX continues expanding its low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, additional capacity is expected to become available over time, although the company has not announced when new orders will reopen in the affected counties.

For now, residents in the seven counties can only join the waitlist while Starlink works to expand network capacity.