Elon Musk Slashes Starlink Installation Fees in Kenya Amid Rising Competition
The American billionaire’s company, Starlink, which offers satellite internet, announced a promotion that runs until December 14. The promotion slashes the price of hardware kits. Kenyans can now enjoy high-speed internet at discounted prices from Elon Musk again.
This came as the satellite internet competition in the country intensified, forcing local internet service providers (ISPs) to seek regulatory intervention.
Leading internet service providers, including Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL), have raised concerns over Starlink’s pricing model.
According to Business Daily, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) dismissed petitions from JTL over Starlink’s predatory pricing model, saying the company’s market share (0.5%) does not warrant it to act.
Starlink installation promotions
Since it landed in Kenya in 2023, Starlink internet has provided stiff competition to ISPs through its promotions to customers. In August 2024, the company offered to rent the kits on a monthly basis to Kenyans who could not afford them.
The kit includes a satellite dish (often called a “dish”), a Wi-Fi router, and the necessary cables. Early in April 2024, the company also cut its hardware costs from KSh 89,000 to KSh 39,500.
What are the new Starlink kit costs in Kenya?
The subsidiary of SpaceX reduced the installation costs for the Starlink Standard kit from KSh 49,999 to KSh 39,999, representing a 20% drop. “Get Starlink Standard kit for KSh 39,999 and enjoy high-speed internet from KSh 1,300 per month. The promotion runs until December 14, 2024,” said Starlink.
The company lowered its mini kit cost by 15% from KSh 27,000 to KSh 23,000.