Kenya Insights

Tag: starlink

  • US Threatens To Shut Off Starlink If Ukraine Won’t Sign Minerals Deal, Sources Tell Reuters

    US Threatens To Shut Off Starlink If Ukraine Won’t Sign Minerals Deal, Sources Tell Reuters

    U.S. negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to Elon Musk’s vital Starlink satellite internet system, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

    Ukraine’s continued access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy turned down an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the sources said.

    Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to war-torn Ukraine and its military.

    The issue was raised again on Thursday during meetings between Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special Ukraine envoy, and Zelenskiy, said one of the sources, who was briefed on the talks.

    During the meeting, Ukraine was told it faced imminent shutoff of the service if it did not reach a deal on critical minerals, said the source, who requested anonymity to discuss closed negotiations.

    “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” said the source. “Losing Starlink … would be a massive blow.”

    Zelenskiy has rejected demands from President Donald Trump’s administration for $500 billion in mineral wealth from Ukraine to repay Washington for wartime aid, saying the U.S. has offered no specific security guarantees.

    On Friday, the Ukrainian president said the U.S. and Ukrainian teams were working on an agreement and Trump said he expects a deal will be signed soon.

    Musk rushed thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace communications services destroyed by Russia after its February 2022 invasion. Hailed as a hero in Ukraine, Musk later curtailed access at least once before in the fall of 2022 as he became more critical of Kyiv’s handling of the war.

    U.S. lawmakers are divided over Trump’s efforts to find a quick end to the Ukraine war and some have raised questions about Musk’s rapid-fire efforts to cull thousands of federal workers and shut down Federal agencies.

    Melinda Haring, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, said Starlink was essential for Ukraine’s operation of drones, a key pillar of its military strategy.

    “Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” Haring said, noting that Ukraine was now at 1:1 parity with Russia in terms of drone usage and artillery shells. Ukraine has a wide range of different drone capabilities, ranging from sea drones and surveillance drones to long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.

    The Ukrainian embassy in Washington, the White House and the U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    SpaceX, which operates Starlink, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Last fall, Ukraine floated the idea of opening its critical minerals to investment by allies. This was part of a “victory plan” that sought to put it in the strongest position for talks and force Moscow to the table.

    Trump has embraced the idea, saying he wants Ukraine to supply the U.S. with rare earths and other minerals in return for financially supporting its war effort.

    Zelenskiy rejected a detailed U.S. proposal last week that would have seen Washington and U.S. firms receiving 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, which include graphite, uranium, titanium and lithium, a key component in electric car batteries.

    Since then a rift has emerged between the leaders, with Trump denouncing Zelenskiy as “a dictator without elections” on Wednesday after Zelenskiy said Trump was trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble, a response to the U.S. president suggesting Ukraine started the war.

    (Reuters)

  • Apple’s iPhones To Support Starlink Direct-to-Cell Coverage In US

    Apple’s iPhones To Support Starlink Direct-to-Cell Coverage In US

    Apple’s  iPhone devices are now eligible to test SpaceX-owned Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability that provides coverage from space, according to T-Mobile, a partner in the program.
    T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are currently testing the Starlink cell network on a trial basis after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission in November last year.

    The trial offers ‘text via satellite’, while voice and data features will be added in the future, according to the T-Mobile website.

    T-Mobile initially only listed a few Android smartphones as eligible devices to test the network, but has now added iPhone devices with the latest iOS 18.3 software update.

    Bloomberg News first reported on Tuesday that Apple, SpaceX and T-Mobile had been secretively working to add support for the network in its latest iPhone software.

    Apple and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment outside regular business hours.

    In October last year, the FCC had allowed SpaceX and T-Mobile to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
    (Reuters)
  • ‪Safaricom To Build Its Own Subsea Cable To Counter Starlink’s Growing Competition ‬

    ‪Safaricom To Build Its Own Subsea Cable To Counter Starlink’s Growing Competition ‬

    Safaricom is planning to build its own subsea cable to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.

    This move comes as Safaricom seeks to enhance its internet services and maintain its market lead amid growing competition.

    The subsea cable will provide high-speed internet and improve connectivity, reducing reliance on third-party providers.

    These cables are the backbone of the global internet, carrying the bulk of international communications, including email, webpages and video calls Safaricom is seeking more bandwidth as it expands in the fast-growing data segment in the face of slower growth from the voice business.

    According to reports, Safaricom is seeking approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to build its own undersea cable as part of its strategy to expand and improve internet connectivity in the region.

    Starlink has become an enormous competitor to Safaricom in the Kenyan market. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, uses low-earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet, making it an appealing solution for areas with limited access to traditional broadband infrastructure. Its ability to reach remote and underserved regions has created a niche market.

    Currently, Safaricom relies on third parties for connections to the undersea cables.

    This includes privately owned SEACOM and Telkom Kenya, which operates and maintains five of the six submarine cables that have landed in the country.

    The five include the East African Marine Cable (TEAMS) cable, which is owned 32 percent by Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, 23 percent and the Kenyan government, 20 percent. It links Kenya to the outside world through the United Arab Emirates.

    Others are EASSy, Lion 2, DARE 1 and PEACE subsea cable systems that are under Telkom Kenya.

    Safaricom’s agreement with SEACOM is set to end in June 2028.

    Analysts reckon that Safaricom is racing to diversify its sources of high-speed internet and cut reliance on Telkom Kenya in its quest for more bandwidth.

    Starlink, which is riding on the back of one of the world’s richest persons with a net worth of $237 billion (Sh30.6 trillion), is betting on lowering internet costs in a segment dominated by Safaricom, Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL) and Zuku.

    It has unsettled local telecoms players, with Safaricom, Airtel Kenya and Jamii Telecom having sent protest letters to the CA. The antitrust authority—Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK)—has also been dragged in court over Starlink’s operation.

    The number of Kenyans using satellite internet has increased since Starlink entered the Kenyan market in July 2023.

  • India Questions Musk’s Starlink For More Clues In $4.2B Drug Smuggling Case

    India Questions Musk’s Starlink For More Clues In $4.2B Drug Smuggling Case

    Indian police have sent a legal demand to Elon Musk’s Starlink seeking details of who purchased its internet device that helps in sea navigation when smugglers with $4.2 billion worth of meth were caught in the biggest such Indian seizure.

    Two people with direct knowledge of the police notice sent by Andaman and Nicobar island officials said Starlink had been asked for the purchaser’s name and payment method, registration details and where the internet device was used when smugglers travelled in international waters from Myanmar to India.

    The incident has set off alarm bells as it is the first time Starlink’s device has been used to navigate and reach Indian waters in a major drug haul.

    The investigation comes just as the Musk-owned company is trying to address any potential security concerns before it is given a green light to launch its satellite broadband services in India.
    Starlink recently won a lobbying battle after a bitter faceoff with billionaire Mukesh Ambani over how exactly New Delhi should allocate satellite spectrum to companies.

    Police in the remote outpost of the Andaman and Nicobar islands seized more than 6,000 kg (13,000 pounds) of meth in late November in a Myanmar boat carrying sacks of suspected contraband, and found that the Starlink Mini internet device had been used. Starlink says the device works in international waters.

    The police estimated that the seized meth had a retail market value of 360 billion rupees ($4.25 billion).

    The first source said Andaman police had sent a notice on Dec. 4 under an Indian law that empowers authorities to seek information from companies related to an investigation.

    It has also sought the mobile number and email ID registered to the Starlink account, said both the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is sensitive.

  • ‪Starlink Faces Predatory Pricing Allegations In Kenya‬

    ‪Starlink Faces Predatory Pricing Allegations In Kenya‬

    Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market has indeed stirred up quite a bit of controversy. Since its launch in July 2023, Starlink has been offering high-speed internet at competitive prices, which has led to concerns from local competitors like Safaricom.

    Jamii Telecommunications Limited, Kenya’s number two internet player behind Safaricom, has asked the communications regulator to investigate the alleged predatory pricing, a letter tabled in the High Court shows.

    They argue that Starlink’s pricing strategy is predatory, potentially driving out local providers by offering services at unsustainable low prices.

    The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is even seeking guidance from the United Nations to develop regulations for satellite internet services to ensure fair competition and protect local businesses.

    Predatory pricing involves a business setting a very low price in order to attract customers away from competitors, who will struggle to match the low price and may go bust.

    Currently, Starlink’s lowest package is retailing at Sh1,300 per month for 50 gigabytes (GB)—a price Jamii says only few local operators will be able to match when you factor in infrastructure rollout costs, operational costs and other costs associated with delivery of ICT services.

    The number of Kenyans using satellite internet has surged since Starlink entered the Kenyan market in July last year.

    In Kenya, Mr Musk priced Starlink at Sh1,300 per month for 50GB, versus $120 (Sh15,504) in the United States, and has lowered the cost of its access equipment from Sh89,000 to the current Sh45,500.

    Safaricom charges Sh5,000 for 47GB, but its package includes talk time of 2,500 minutes and 5, 000 SMSes.

    “The considerably low prices offered by Starlink, which are predatory in nature, will make it difficult for local internet service providers to compete on both price and service, and ultimately kill competition by undermining the efforts of local companies,” said Joshua Chepkwony, the Jamii chairman and CEO, in the September 3 letter to the CA.

    “Seeing that Starlink’s prices are commercially unsustainable in the long run, it is safe to say that its current strategy is driven towards mopping up subscriber numbers with the ultimate intention of upwardly reviewing the prices once it has achieved a critical mass.”

    Jamii alleged that the Starlink has, for instance, admitted on various media platforms that it loses more than 50 percent on every kit it produces in order to keep the prices low.

    The Jamii protest mirrors concerns in other markets where wealthy firms engaging in predatory pricing raise prices after gaining market share and vanquishing rival companies.

    Starlink has faced similar accusations in countries such as Indonesia and India, but the firm has argued that it maintains “absolute transparency” on pricing and performance around the world.

    In India, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel—the two main players— called for a level playing field as the country works out the norms for satellite communication spectrum.

    Jamii’s allegation of predatory pricing has effectively dragged the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK)— antitrust authority— into the court battle over Starlink’s operation.

    The CAK has the mandate and powers to initiate an investigation on its own if it finds merit in complaints.

    The probe would hinge on whether Starlink is selling below its production costs and how it charges for similar products in other markets.

    “The Authority will seek to ascertain whether the dominant undertaking will be making losses as price is lower than average variable cost,” says CAK guidelines.

    “The Authority will also consider whether the conduct has led to the elimination of a significant and/or an efficient competitor and whether the dominant player can recoup its losses after it would have eliminated or weakened its competitor(s) from the market.”

    The CA revealed the predatory pricing claim in a court suit where legal lobby group Kituo Cha Sheria has sued it for responding to Safaricom on July 9 that it was reviewing the telecoms company’s concerns over Starlink.

    Safaricom in July urged regulators to consider requiring satellite internet providers such as Starlink to partner with local mobile network operators, saying its present dealings could allow illegal connections and harmful interference with mobile networks.

    It also cited security risks and lapses in regulatory oversight, due to the cross-border nature of satellite services.

    Starlink currently operates in over 100 countries globally, including 14 in Africa. In many of these markets, their products are still at the test stage.

    The firm has disrupted the internet service market in different African countries including Kenya where it had captured a market share of 0.5 percent at the end of June 2024, amassing a subscriber base that totaled 8,063 users.

    Safaricom maintained the lead with a market share of 36.4 percent, followed by JTL (24 percent) and Wananchi Group (17.5 percent).

    Starlink’s pricing strategy came under scrutiny in Nigeria where in September it shocked the market with a 97.3 percent rise in the prices of its standard residential plan to 75,000 Nigerian naira (Sh5,800) from N38,000 (Sh2,900), citing “excessive inflation”.

    This prompted consumer uproar, prompting Starlink to freeze the price hike amid talks with the regulator.

    “We are temporarily suspending this price increase as we navigate regulatory challenges. We remain committed to providing high-speed internet in Nigeria, but we need regulatory support to make the improvements necessary for a better customer experience. Without these approvals, our ability to continue delivering service is at risk,” the company said.

  • ‪Starlink Temporarily Halts New Sign-Ups In Nairobi Due To Soaring Demand‬

    ‪Starlink Temporarily Halts New Sign-Ups In Nairobi Due To Soaring Demand‬

    American satellite internet firm Starlink has suspended new subscriptions within Kenya’s capital and the neighbouring counties of Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Murang’a, citing a network overload due to soaring demand that has stretched its service capacity.

    A spot check on the Elon Musk-owned company’s official website on Monday showed that neither business nor residential packages were available for purchase when one identified any of the counties as the intended residence.

    Further, an availability map visible on the site shows that the five locations are whitelisted and marked with a ‘sold out’ tag, meaning that the supply is currently at capacity.

    “Starlink residential/business is not available in your area. Enter your email below to be notified about future availability and product updates,” reads a message displayed on purchase attempts.

    Since its entry into the local market in late July last year, Starlink has seen its subscriber base grow rapidly in a trend that has seen the multinational enter the top ten list of dominant internet service providers (ISPs) in the country.

    As of June this year, official data shows that Starlink had captured a 0.5 percent share of the country’s internet market in its first full year of operation, amassing a subscriber base that totalled 8,063 users during the period.

    The disclosures by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) pointed to a growing appetite among users for more personalised attention and quality services.

    A key advantage Starlink has over its rivals in Kenya is its ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and previously underserved areas, making it an ideal product for Kenya’s rural settings where traditional internet services are limited or unreliable.

    Since its entry into Kenya, Starlink has seen its operational model undergo a raft of changes as part of its strategy to net a wider base of subscribers.

    Initially, the cost of the service put it out of reach for many people after it emerged that  at least Sh100,000 was required for installation, much of which was the purchase price of the hardware kit at Sh89,000.

    The cost of the kit has since been slashed to Sh45,500.

    In June this year, the multinational introduced a 50 gigabyte (GB) monthly data package at a rate of Sh1,300, which is less than half the price of Airtel, which charges Sh3,000 for a similar package.

    Safaricom, on the other hand, sells a 47GB data package that’s includes 2,500 talk minutes and 5,000 SMS for Sh5,000.

    In August, Starlink introduced a rental plan for the installation hardware kit, where users pay a monthly rate of Sh1,950 as opposed to the one-off purchase of Sh45,500, on top of the Sh1,300 charge for the 50GB data plan or Sh6,500 monthly service fee for unlimited internet package.

    The firm has also lined up plans to launch new satellites with capabilities to connect and deliver internet directly to subscribers’ mobile gadgets without the need for the hardware kit starting next year.

  • Elon Musk’s Starlink Propels To Top Internet Providers In Kenya

    Elon Musk’s Starlink Propels To Top Internet Providers In Kenya

    Tesla billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink has captured a 0.5 percent share of Kenya’s internet market in its first full year of operation in the country, amassing a subscriber base that totalled 8,063 users at the end of June this year, new data shows.

    Fresh statistics from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) indicate that the growth rate has propelled the multinational into the top ten list of dominant internet service providers (ISPs) in the country, enjoying an equal pie of the market with Vijiji Connect Limited, which launched operations in 2020.

    Safaricom maintained its firm grip on the market growing marginally to control a market share of 36.4 percent, up from 36.2 percent in June last year, followed by Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL), whose share grew to 24 percent from 23.7 percent last year.

    Wananchi Group Limited (Zuku), on the other hand, saw its market control shrink during the period to 17.5 percent from 21.6 percent last year.

    “Safaricom Plc reported the largest market share of 36.4 percent followed by Jamii Telecommunications Ltd and Wananchi Group at 24.0 and 17.5 percent respectively. Starlink Internet Services Kenya, which was licensed earlier in the financial year to provide satellite internet services, had a market share of 0.5 percent as of June 30, 2024,” wrote CA in its latest sector statistics report.

    Starlink, which is an outgrowth of Musk’s space technology firm SpaceX, operationalized services within the local market in late July last year, setting the stage for what analysts termed ‘a consequential industry disruption’ that would see the battle for the fast-expanding market intensify among the top ISPs.

    Satellite internet users

    Between April and June this year, CA notes, Kenya’s utilised satellite internet capacity – which reflects the total internet access speed that the technology can provide per second – increased rapidly to 840.448 gigabits per second (Gbps) up from 48.438 Gbps in the previous quarter, a more than 16-fold jump, courtesy of Starlink services uptake in the country.

    “Satellite subscriptions maintained an upward trend following the launch of Starlink services during the year, with 96.9 percent of satellite customers subscribed to speeds between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps,” notes the industry regulator.

    The overall satellite internet subscriptions in the country grew monumentally during the year from 405 as of June last year to 8,324 at the end of the review period.

    “This growth is attributed to the licensing and subsequent launch of Starlink Internet Services Kenya earlier in the financial year,” said CA.

    “This trend is expected to continue in the coming periods considering that this technology provides high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity, especially in areas where internet is currently unavailable or unreliable.”

    The disclosures by the regulator point to a growing appetite among users for more personalised attention and quality services, with market disruption already taking shape as traditional players start exhibiting distress signs.

    In August this year, market leader Safaricom wrote a letter of protest letter to the CA asking it to review the policy of licensing independent ISPs in what was widely seen as an attempt to censor Starlink.

    In its petition, the telco argued that indiscriminate permit approvals to such firms could give rise to illegal connections and harmful interference to mobile networks.

    In what was seen as a veiled response by the government, President William Ruto, while on a visit to the US last month, backed Starlink’s operations in the country, saying that the firm’s conduct was in line with the State’s policy of deepening internet penetration and encouraging competition in the market.

    Price wars

    In an attempt to dodge a price war with the multinational, Safaricom last month increased its home fibre internet speeds by up to five times as part of efforts to protect revenues and guard its customer base.

    A major strength for Starlink against its competitors is its ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and previously underserved areas, making it an ideal product for Kenya’s rural settings where traditional Internet services are limited or unreliable.

    Since entering Kenya, Starlink has seen its operations model undergo a raft of amends as part of its strategy to net a wider base of subscribers.

    At the onset, the service had proved to be a deterrent due to its prohibitive cost, after it emerged that one needed at least Sh100,000 for installation, the bulk of which was the purchase price of the hardware kit at Sh89,000.

    The cost of the kit has since been reduced to Sh45,500.

    In June this year, the multinational introduced a 50 gigabyte (GB) monthly data package at a rate of Sh1,300, which is less than half the price of Airtel, which charges Sh3,000 for a similar package.

    Safaricom, on the other hand, sells a 47GB data package that includes 2,500 talk minutes and 5,000 SMS for Sh5,000.

    Last month, Starlink introduced a rental plan for the installation hardware kit, with users paying a monthly rate of Sh1,950 as opposed to a one-off purchase at Sh45,500, in addition to the Sh1,300 charge for the 50GB data plan or the Sh6,500 monthly service fee for an unlimited internet package.

    The firm has also lined up plans to launch new satellites with the ability to connect and deliver internet directly to subscribers’ mobile devices without the need for a hardware kit from next year.

  • Kituo Cha Sheria Accused Of Being A Proxy Of Safaricom In Suit Against Starlink To Advance Its Monopoly

    Kituo Cha Sheria Accused Of Being A Proxy Of Safaricom In Suit Against Starlink To Advance Its Monopoly

    A company associated with a wealthy city lawyer has sought to join a case seeking to stop Safaricom and industry regulator from blocking Starlink from entering the Kenyan market by providing satellite internet services.

    Goodweek Inter-Services limited want to be enjoined in the case filed by Kituo Cha Sheria as an interested party.

    The company argues arguing that the case has been instituted by Kituo Cha Sheria as a proxy of Safaricom.

    According to the dealer, the case has been filed with the sole and impermissible purpose of corrupting the commercial and regulatory landscape and to retain and sustain an altogether impermissible monopolistic control of the telecommunication market in Kenya by Safaricom.

    “It is just and fair that the Applicant is allowed to be joined as an interested party in this Petition,” Goodweek Inter-Services ltd urged the court.

    The company said there has been a consistent pattern that any threat to the dominance of Safaricom triggers a perverse scheme in which Kituo is co-opted to block the threat.

    “This is what happened to Equity Bank’s thin-sim-card revolutionary technology that was going to obliterate Mpesa. Kituo was conscripted by Safaricom to lodge a surrogate suit to block the introduction of Equity Bank’s revolutionary technology with Kituo deploying Stalingrad tactics to delay the implementation of the said technology for more than year for the benefit of Safaricom,” says Goodweek Inter-Services ltd in court documents.

    The company adds that Safaricom’s lawyers managed, advised, monitored and supervised Kituo’s ‘surrogate’ suit in that particular instance including extracting and collecting the court orders issued against Equity Bank.

    “The details of this unholy alliance between Safaricom and Kituo are detailed in a prior suit before this Court being Constitutional Human Rights Division Petition No. E299 of 2024 Goodweek Inter-Services Limited vs Safaricom PLC & 3 Others which was filed on 21st June 2024, way before the current suit,” the firm said.

    The company said the fact that Safaricom deployed Kituo Cha Sheria in the case whilst it was fighting the said prior suit speaks to the consistency and the deployment of Kituo as the go to surrogate of Safaricom.

    “These Safaricom surrogate suits are never intended to succeed (and ultimately never succeed) but are designed to deflect, forestall and frustrate market disruptions to Safaricom’s dominance, as the outcomes of the surrogates suits eventually and eminently confirm,” company stated in it court documents.

    The company said Kituo invariably only litigates on matters related and beneficial to Safaricom in the telecommunication sector and not otherwise.

    “In this current surrogate suit, it is intended for the matter to be referred to the 2nd and 3rd Respondent, which are under the total and complete control of Safaricom’s pervasive influence capture of Safaricom and which are guaranteed to produce a result favourable to Safaricom, without Safaricom appearing to be the prime mover of the process. This is the case made out in the prior said suit of HCCHR Petition No. E299 of 2024-Goodweek Inter-Services Limited vs Safaricom PLC & 3 Others,” state Goodweek Inter-Services ltd.

    It is the firm’s argument that fearing the possibility of antagonising Starlink Limited and its owner Elon Musk, Safaricom has created a pretended “plausible deniability” defence through the surrogate petition.

    “This surrogate suit is certain to explode a major conflict between the government of the United States of America and the Government of Kenya in the subsisting trade negotiations between the two countries, to the prejudice of the people of Kenya. Safaricom does not care about this consequence,” the company further state in the court documents.

    According to Goodweek Inter-Services ltd, the conduct of Safaricom will attract the attention of the United States Securities Exchange Commission [“SEC”] and sanctions will flow from this racketeering scheme which is an offence under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

    The conduct of Safaricom in the perpetuation of its monopolistic practices is the subject matter of the aforesaid HCCHR Petition No. E299 of 2024 Goodweek Inter-Services Limited vs Safaricom PLC & 3 Others.

    “The illegal, corrupt, and anti-Kenya conduct of Safaricom ought to be investigated in the same suit as opposed to having several processes investigating the pervasive influence of Safaricom,” adds the company.

    It further state that the bastardisation of Kituo is against the constitutive instruments of this erstwhile advocacy organisation, a betrayal of the founding fathers of the organisation amongst whom are prominent jurists.

    The company application is supported with affidavit sworn by Head of Administration Salmon Ogwel who adds that Kituo invariably only litigates on matters related to and advantageous to Safaricom in the telecommunication sector and not otherwise.

    “In this current surrogate suit, it is intended for the matter to be referred to Communication Authority of Kenya and Competition Authority of Kenya, which are under the total and complete control of Safaricom’s pervasive influence and “regulatory capture” and which are guaranteed to produce a result favourable to Safaricom, without Safaricom appearing to be the prime mover of the process. This is the case made out in our earlier Petition which was filed prior to the Petition herein,”says Ogwel company head administrator.

    Ogwel further adds that the pretended posture of the current petition positing the view that it has been brought in order to protect the Kenyan public against Safaricom’s attempt to block the continued provision of services by Starlink is but a known strategic ruse. A stay (pending regulatory hearings and determination) is the clear intent of the Petitioner and its master, Safaricom.

  • Ruto Is Right On Starlink Causing Stir In Kenya, Elon Musk Reacts

    Ruto Is Right On Starlink Causing Stir In Kenya, Elon Musk Reacts

    Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has taken pride in the crucial role his satellite internet service provider Starlink has sparked in Kenya.

    His remarks followed the recognition of the satellite internet as a game changer by President William Ruto for creating competition in the country and causing existing players like Safaricom to provide better services.

    The President made the mention during the US-Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    Present was Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

    “I have my CEO for Safaricom; sometimes he’s not very happy with me for bringing other characters like Elon Musk and others into the space. I keep encouraging Peter that competition makes you keep ahead, and he’s been doing pretty well, I must admit, he’s really upped his game,” Ruto said.

    Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, a subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX co-founded by South African-born American billionaire, Musk.

    The tech titan was in attendance at the UNGA, where he mingled with several leaders, including Africa’s heads of state.

    “As the President of Kenya says, Starlink causes local competitors to provide better services,” he concurred with Ruto’s sentiments.

    Musk launched Starlink in Kenya in July 2023 and almost immediately disrupted the network market by providing cheaper internet services with better speeds.

    Its arrival caused jitters among traditional internet service providers who called for state intervention as Starlink boosted satellite internet subscriber numbers more than tenfold in the nine months to March 2024.

    Currently, Starlink offers a competitive 50-gigabyte data package in Kenya priced at Sh1,300 at fixed residential locations across the country.

    This translates to Sh26 per GB with a speed of up to 220 Mbps, way lower than the country’s average price of Sh76.20 and over 20 times faster than the average internet speed of 9.78 Mbps, according to the Communication Authority (CA).

    Compared to the existing competitors such as Safaricom, Telkom, Faiba, and Zuku who rely on fibre-optic technology, Starlink relies on satellites in space that orbit around the earth and then transmit signals to internet modems at home or offices.

    This gives Starlink an edge over its competitors, as satellite internet comes in handy in rural areas where penetration of cable or fibre optic is either limited or completely unavailable.

    As of Tuesday night, Musk had yet to meet with Ruto, but he met various other world leaders on Monday and Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN assembly.

    He said they discussed matters of investment, including exploring the possibility of introducing Starlink in some of the countries.

    They include President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Javier Gerardo Milei, Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane and the President of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, whose country is the latest in Africa to embrace Starlink.

  • Panicked Safaricom Increases Internet Speeds Amid Starlink’s Rising Demand

    Panicked Safaricom Increases Internet Speeds Amid Starlink’s Rising Demand

    Safaricom is intensifying its efforts to maintain its market dominance in the data segment against the rising competition from Starlink with its enhanced last-mile internet speeds, now reaching up to 400 megabytes per second (Mbps).

    This is as the telco introduced a new Platinum Package with 1000 Mbps at Sh20,000 per month.

    The entry of Starlink into the local market has been a game-changer with new standards for internet speeds in Kenya, rapidly gaining popularity among Kenyans and county governments.

    This development poses a significant challenge to Safaricom, the country’s leading telco, which has long held a near-monopoly in internet services. As the competition heats up, industry experts anticipate a pricing war, with internet service providers vying to retain customers by offering faster, more affordable internet options.

    In response to Starlink’s growing presence, Safaricom has rolled out improved packages meant to deliver better value and service quality, reinforcing Safaricom’s position in the market. The revamped packages include the Bronze Package, now upgraded from 10 Mbps to 15 Mbps at Sh2,999, and the Silver Package, which has increased from 20 Mbps to 30 Mbps, priced at Sh4,100.

    The Gold Package has doubled its speed, going from 40 Mbps to 80 Mbps at Sh6,299, while the Diamond Package has made a significant leap from 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps, now costing Sh12,499.

    Growing demand

    Safaricom Chief Executive, Peter Ndegwa, said these changes are in response to growing demand and usage, aiming to provide more reliable connectivity and value for customers. “The introduction of the new speeds offers the capability of handling the most demanding online activities with ease, including high-definition streaming 4K/8K, gaming, large file transfers, cloud computing, and virtual reality,” he explained.  Ndegwa also showcased a new family share option that integrates internet and mobile solutions, allowing up to five family members to share the service.

    The introduction of Starlink has intensified competition in Kenya’s ISP sector, offering speeds exceeding 150 Mbps at competitive rates. Since its July 2023 launch, Starlink has attracted numerous users through reduced hardware costs and rental options, especially in underserved regions.

    Local operators

    Safaricom has raised concerns with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) about the regulatory environment for satellite internet providers. It argues that satellite providers like Starlink should be required to partner with local operators to ensure proper oversight and accountability.  In a leaked memo, Safaricom warned that allowing independent satellite companies to operate without local regulation could lead to compliance and accountability challenges.

    This regulatory plea comes amid increasing dissatisfaction with Safaricom’s service quality. Nairobi and Murang’a County have already adopted Starlink, signalling a growing preference for satellite internet solutions.

  • Starlink’s Cheap Data Plan Disrupts Safaricom and Airtel’s Dominance in Kenya

    Starlink’s Cheap Data Plan Disrupts Safaricom and Airtel’s Dominance in Kenya

    Starlink, the satellite internet venture led by Elon Musk, has launched an attractive data plan in Kenya, shaking up the market.

    Offering 50 gigabytes (GB) for Ksh1,300 ($10.16) per month, Starlink’s plan undercuts Airtel’s Ksh3,000 ($23.44) and Safaricom’s Ksh2,500 ($19.53) packages.

    Although users need to pay Ksh45,500 ($355.47) upfront for installation, the lower monthly fee and new mobile payment options could disrupt Kenya’s data market.

    This development threatens the dominance of Safaricom and Airtel, intensifying competition in Kenya’s broadband sector.

    How Starlink Is Challenging Safaricom and Airtel in Kenya

    Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, has launched an affordable data plan in Kenya. This new plan offers 50 gigabytes (GB) of data for Ksh1,300 ($10.16) per month. This price is significantly lower than Airtel’s Ksh3,000 ($23.44) for a similar data package and Safaricom’s Ksh2,500 ($19.53) for 45GB.

    Despite the lower monthly cost, Starlink’s service requires an upfront payment of Ksh45,500 ($355.47) for installation hardware. In contrast, Safaricom and Airtel only require users to activate a SIM card.

    Starlink’s introduction of mobile money payment options, such as M-Pesa and Airtel Money, could shake up the current market. This move is set to increase competition in Kenya’s data sector, where Safaricom leads with a 63.7% market share, followed by Airtel with 31.5%, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

    Starlink’s new 50GB monthly plan, priced at Ksh1,300 ($10.16), offers a cost-effective alternative to Airtel’s Ksh3,000 ($23.44) plan. Safaricom’s 45GB plan costs Ksh2,500 ($19.53). To access Starlink’s service, users must pay Ksh45,500 ($355.47) for installation hardware, unlike the local telcos where only SIM card activation is needed.

    Starlink’s website highlights its plan as “Affordable, high-speed internet with 50GB of data included for Ksh1,300/month. Additional data is available for Ksh20/GB.” With mobile payment options now available, Starlink is poised to intensify competition with Safaricom and Airtel.

    The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reports that Safaricom holds a 63.7% share of the mobile broadband market, while Airtel has 31.5%. Starlink’s entry into Kenya makes it the sixth African country to receive the service, following Nigeria, Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius, and Sierra Leone.

    Rental Kits to Accelerate Market Penetration

    Starlink is making it easier for Kenyans to access its satellite internet by offering a rental option for its hardware.

    Instead of buying the kit outright for KSh 89,000, customers can now rent it. They’ll pay a one-time activation fee of KSh 2,700 and a monthly rental fee of KSh 1,950. Monthly service costs will be KSh 1,300, with no time limits.

    Starlink’s entry into Kenya last year was slow due to high hardware costs. The company recently reduced the price of the kit to KSh 45,500 but still faced affordability issues.

    Starlink’s reputation grew last month during anti-finance bill protests when social media users accused the government of throttling the internet.

    Also, damage to undersea cables this year caused widespread internet disruptions across Africa. The new rental option is expected to make Starlink more accessible and strengthen its position against traditional internet providers.

  • Starlink Cuts Installation Costs In Kenya

    Starlink Cuts Installation Costs In Kenya

    Billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm, Starlink, has announced a 55.6 percent reduction in the price of the installation hardware kit in the Kenyan market in a promotion that runs until May 15.

    During the offer window, Kenyans will purchase the hardware equipment at Sh39,500, down from the Sh89,000 asking price during normal sales.

    Starlink however appears to be off to a bumpy start in African markets after it emerged that it has halted operations in at least four countries that it recently ventured into.

    Starlink’s major strength is its ability to deliver high-speed internet with low latency, making it ideal for rural or remote areas where traditional internet services are limited or unreliable.

    The service has however proved unaffordable for many of the targeted users owing to its off-putting installation cost which is an almost ten-fold increase from what rival products cost.

    In the absence of the current offer, a subscriber in Kenya would be required to cough not less than Sh100,000 with the purchase of the hardware kit taking up the lion’s share of the cost at Sh89,000.

    After installation of the equipment, the user is required to pay an activation fee of Sh6,500, which is also the monthly subscription charge.

  • Musk Says Starlink Will Be Free for Brazil Schools If Government Cancels Contract

    Musk Says Starlink Will Be Free for Brazil Schools If Government Cancels Contract

    SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said he will provide Starlink services free of charge for schools in Brazil if the government chooses to follow through and cancel a contract for the service in the country.

    Many schools in Brazil have reported using the company to provide internet access to their citizens. Starlink terminals connect to the company’s satellites in low Earth orbit and provide high-speed communications.

    Brazil’s government has reportedly announced plans to suspend all contracts with Starlink. Prompting Mr. Musk to offer the service free of charge.

    “Starlink will provide free Internet for schools in Brazil if the government won’t honor their contract,” he said in an April 8 social media post.

    The moves come amid a growing stoush between social media company X, also owned by Mr. Musk, and the Brazilian government.

    According to an April 6 post on the platform, the global affairs team announced they were being “forced by court decisions to block certain popular accounts in Brazil.”

    “We do not know the reasons these blocking orders have been issued. We do not know which posts are alleged to violate the law. We are prohibited from saying which court or judge issued the order, or on what grounds,” the post said. 

    The global affairs team claimed the company had been threatened with fines if they didn’t comply with the order. They also said they were unable to provide a list of which accounts were impacted.

    “We believe that such orders are not in accordance with the Marco Civil da Internet or the Brazilian Federal Constitution, and we challenge the orders legally where possible,” the post from the global affairs team said.

    “The people of Brazil, regardless of their political beliefs, are entitled to freedom of speech, due process, and transparency from their own authorities.”

    The announcement came after a report by investigative journalist Michael Shellenberger and colleagues David Ágape and Eli Vieira, titled “Twitter Files Brazil.”

    Mr. Shellenberger said that sitting members of Brazil’s Congress and journalists were among those named by Brazil’s highest court for censorship. He has shared his findings on X.

    Mr. Musk announced soon after he had removed all content restrictions in Brazil in defiance of the order.

    As a result, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes opened a probe into Mr. Musk for alleged obstruction of justice after he challenged a court order requiring the removal of certain X accounts.

    In his decision on April 7, Justice de Moraes said Mr. Musk will be probed for alleged obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement.

    Mr. Musk has made serious allegations of corruption against Justice de Moraes and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In a follow-up April 8 post, Mr. Musk claims that events have since escalated and all Twitter Brazil employees are in danger of arrest. Once safe, he will release the information proving his allegations. 

    “We need to get our employees in Brazil to a safe place or otherwise not in a position of responsibility, then we will do a full data dump,” he said. 

    “They have been told they will be arrested. Save the Brazilian X employees.”

    From The Epoch Times

  • Elon Musk’s Space X Launches 60 More Starlink Satellites

    Elon Musk’s Space X Launches 60 More Starlink Satellites

    Space X, a private space company that is owned by American billionaire Elon Musk has added 60 more satellites to its goal of nearly 45,000 for a global internet network called Starlink.

    Soace X what to have internet connectivity everywhere on earth. In May this year, the company launched 60 satellites that are in orbit right now and 60 more were launched to space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Monday.

    The second Starlink deployment from SpaceX’s Flacon 9 rocket (a 1.2 million-pound spacecraft) was a success.

    SpaceX plans to launch monthly Starlink missions in 2020. Just last month, SpaceX applied for 30,000 more satellites, which you can add onto the 12,000 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission already approved.

    Once the entire constellation is in low Earth orbit by 2027, or possibly later, it’s expected to offer high-speed internet to anywhere on Earth. Last month SpaceX CEO Elon Musk supposedly sent a tweet using the Starlink network.

    When the company launched its first set of Starlink internet satellites in May, professional astronomers worried that the super bright satellites would interfere with scientific observations and amateur appreciation of the stars.

    “That first few nights, it was like, ‘Holy shit, the stars were super bright. That is a wake up call” Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told Space.com.

    https://twitter.com/alexwitze/status/1193890882740609025?s=19

    Here is a YouTube courtesy video.

    SpaceX and its leader, Elon Musk, reassured astronomers that once the satellites settled into place, they would stop masquerading as the stars they are named for.