In recent years, the demand for high-speed internet access has grown exponentially, especially in developing countries where infrastructure is still being built out. To meet this demand, business magnate Elon Musk has developed Starlink, a wireless internet service that uses satellites to provide internet access to users in even the most remote locations. As Starlink continues to expand globally, Kenya is set to join other countries like Finland and Papua New Guinea in gaining access to the system in 2023.
According to SpaceX’s interactive coverage map, Starlink’s service is already available in 44 countries around the globe, with plans to double that number by 2023. As a result, Kenyans will soon be able to purchase the service, with prices currently set at Ksh 13,431 per month and an additional Ksh 73,318 for hardware. However, it should be noted that these prices are subject to change and are dependent on regulatory approval.
Starlink’s target market is primarily customers who have been struggling to access the internet through traditional landlines. The service aims to reach these hard-to-serve customers by using satellites to send signals to its users, rather than relying on copper and fiber optic cables. Starlink is a byproduct of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX and was launched in 2019. Since then, the company has launched more than 3,000 satellites into low-Earth orbit.
One of the key features of Starlink is its unique setup process. To access the internet via Starlink, customers must first purchase a small satellite dish from the company. They then connect this dish to their home in order to provide internet access to their devices. Starlink promises internet speeds of up to 150Mbps, with a fair usage policy that limits speeds after 1 terabyte of data has been used up within a given payment cycle. The company also promises that speeds will double in the future, allowing customers to enjoy even faster internet speeds with their existing hardware.