Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, is taking strategic steps to regain customers who have switched to Starlink by offering a more affordable Internet package. In a recent marketing campaign, Safaricom encouraged former customers to reactivate their fiber accounts at a reduced rate of $38.61 per month for a 40Mbps package, a notable drop from the usual $50.19.
This move comes in response to Starlink’s aggressive pricing, which has disrupted the Kenyan Internet market. Starlink recently introduced a rental option for its hardware, allowing customers to rent a Starlink kit for $15 per month, with a one-time activation fee of $21. Starlink offers a 50GB data plan for $10 or an unlimited package for $50.50, both with speeds up to 200 Mbps.
Since its launch in Kenya in July, Starlink has made its services more accessible by significantly reducing the cost of its hardware from $687.26 to $350. This pricing strategy has posed a substantial challenge to established Internet providers in Kenya, including Airtel, Zuku, Telkom, and Faiba.
In response to Starlink’s growing influence, Safaricom has urged the Kenyan government to implement regulations for satellite Internet providers. In a letter to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), Safaricom suggested that satellite companies should be required to collaborate with local network operators before being granted licenses, emphasizing the potential impact on the local telecom industry.
Safaricom’s latest offer is a clear indication of the heightened competition in the Kenyan Internet market, as established providers adapt to the new landscape shaped by Starlink’s entry.