Starlink has announced the launch of the Starlink Mini which is a cheaper kit priced at Ksh. 27,000. This is in a bid to ensure a higher uptake as primary barrier has been the upfront hardware cost which the lower pricing seeks to address. The mini is designed for portability and ease of use.
This comes three days after Safaricom increased its fibre internet speeds to compete with the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service.
The Starlink Mini comes with a maximum speed of up to 100mbps, which is meant to attract price-sensitive customers. This is a 60% reduction in price considering that in July 2023, Starlink launched in Kenya with the KES45,000 ($347.25) kit.
Kenyans have largely responded positively to Starlink’s entry. The SpaceX subsidiary had registered over 4,000 customers as of June this year. With schools, companies and county governments becoming customers.
Safaricom upgraded its internet speeds to respond to Starlink’s growing popularity. The 10Mbps package was increased to 15 Mbps at KES 3,000 while customers on the 20mbps plan upgraded to 30Mbps. They also doubled the speeds for 40Mbps users and increased fivefold the 100Mbps package. It also introduced the 1Gbps package at KES 20,000 ($155) for heavy internet users.
Safaricom has also been pressuring the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) to block satellite ISPs like Starlink, highlighting the threat to the firm’s dominance in Kenya’s broadband market.
Safaricom, which plans to launch a satellite internet service, has a firm grip on the data market, with a 36.7% market share. It has 14,000km of fibre optic cable connecting about 400,000 customers.