Starlink Becomes Kenya’s 7th Largest ISP, Shaking Up Local Market

Elon Musk’s Starlink has surged to become Kenya’s seventh-largest internet service provider (ISP), surpassing established rivals like Dimension Data and Liquid Telecommunications Kenya just six months after entering the country’s top ten.

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Starlink now serves 19,146 users, up from 16,786 three months ago, capturing 1.1% of Kenya’s internet market.

While still trailing dominant players Safaricom (36.1%) and Jamii Telecommunications (23.6%), Starlink’s rapid expansion underscores the growing demand for satellite broadband in regions underserved by fiber and fixed wireless networks.

This growth has intensified scrutiny from regulators and competitors. Local ISPs including Safaricom and Airtel Kenya argue that Starlink’s expansion disrupts market competition.

In response, the CA plans to raise satellite license fees from $12,302 to $115,331 and introduce a 0.4% levy on annual turnover, moves that could slow Starlink’s momentum.

Despite regulatory pressure, Starlink is pushing forward with aggressive pricing and infrastructure investments.

The company recently launched a Nairobi ground station, slashing latency from 120ms to 26ms, and introduced budget-friendly data plans, hardware rentals, and installation discounts.

Looking ahead to 2025, Starlink plans to launch satellites that connect directly to mobile devices, eliminating the need for hardware kits and increasing competition with traditional telcos.

While Starlink’s footprint remains small, its disruptive growth signals a shift in Kenya’s broadband landscape—one that could force incumbents to rethink their strategies.