Safaricom leading telecommunication company in Kenya wants Billionaire Elon Musk project out of Kenya because the Starlink users is growing immensely since the inception in Kenya JulyLast Year. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) reported that Starlink’s market share has increased tenfold in just the first quarter of 2024.
Safaricom, which is owned by the Kenyan government, Britain’s Vodafone (VOD.L) and South Africa’s Vodacom (VODJ.J) took an action by writing a letter to CA to express their concerns.
“Satellite coverage inherently spans multiple territorial borders and in doing so has the potential to illegally provide services and cause harmful interference within the territorial borders of the Republic of Kenya,” the letter said.
Why Safaricom seeks to block Elon Musk’s Starlink in Kenya
This came recently after the Starlink introduce rented hardware kits for residentials rather than having to purchase it for more than $350 enabling its users to access faster and cheaper internet connectivity irregardless of geographical locations in the country.
Starlink operates directly with their customers without their physical locations in African countries making it hard for the regulators to check and control their services without expected inefficiency backed with billion-dollar company with uncompromised yielding.
Safaricom wants to build a censorship with innovative companies like Space X Where they work under same protocols under the Kenya law. The introduction of Space X satellite internet in Kenya is one of the best tools that will guard its citizen from a country ruled by monopolies. Kenyans on social media embraces the launch of satellite internet by Elon Musk SpaceX company that will revolutionized Kenya economy after years of exploitation by Telco companies.
Not only Starlink operates in Kenya but also in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Benin, South Sudan, Eswatini and Sierra Leone. Earlier this year, Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment at ports as the provider was not licensed.
Can satellite internet be regulated in Kenya?
It’s unlikely! As learned from history, the pirate radio stations that was setup in the 20th century, operators would set up a radio mast in international waters and broadcast a signal strong enough that recipients inside the country could listen.
What would happen if they Starlink ignores the laws?
It’s unlikely! users will still have access to internet. On the other hand, the government might take steps by banning importation and usage of Starlink kits term as illegal and prosecute their users.
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3 replies on “Safaricom and SpaceX Clash Over Regulating Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Internet in Kenya”
i experienced satelllite internet when i visited one of my friends Kwale, its amazing not only speed but also budget friendly
am two weeks old with Starlink and the speed is super dope
zuku offers me 10mbps when i test the speed its 3/4mbps, the upload speed is 0.9mbps pathetic, Starlink is quite promising