Starlink Internet Services Kenya has experienced remarkable growth, more than doubling its subscriber base in just one quarter. According to the latest statistics released by the Communications Authority (CA) for July to September 2024, Starlink’s subscriptions surged by 108.2 percent, rising from 8,147 reported in the previous quarter to 16,786.
Since its launch in Kenya in July 2023, Starlink has gained popularity as a reliable satellite internet provider. This growth has seen it climb to the position of Kenya’s eighth-largest internet service provider (ISP), capturing 1.1 percent of the market share. In the previous quarter, Starlink was the 10th-largest ISP with a 0.5 percent market share.
The rapid adoption of Starlink’s satellite internet services has impacted market dynamics, with Safaricom PLC, the market leader, losing 0.2 percent of its market share. Despite this decline, Safaricom increased its subscriber base from 545,812 in the April-June period to 575,835 in July-September. Jamii Telecom remains the second-largest ISP, with 384,616 subscribers and a 24.4 percent market share. Wananchi Group and Poa Internet Kenya follow with 265,194 and 198,609 subscribers, respectively.
The availability of Starlink has also driven significant growth in Kenya’s satellite internet capacity. Utilized satellite internet capacity grew by an impressive 152.8 percent, reaching 2,124.438 Gbps. This growth is attributed to Starlink’s customer acquisition initiatives, which have made satellite internet more accessible to remote areas in Kenya.
Overall, Kenya’s total available international internet bandwidth capacity increased by 9.2 percent, rising from 22,154.438 Gbps in the last quarter to 24,195.320 Gbps. Of this, utilized undersea bandwidth increased by 1.1 percent to 15,287.222 Gbps, with 12,333.402 Gbps consumed locally and 2,953.820 Gbps transited to other countries.
Starlink’s growth underscores its rising influence in Kenya’s competitive ISP market, catering to underserved regions with high-speed satellite internet. The service has been particularly transformative in remote and rural areas, where traditional ISPs often face infrastructure challenges.
As Starlink continues to expand its footprint in Kenya, its impact on the digital landscape is becoming increasingly evident, offering consumers more choice and driving innovation in the internet service market.
