Starlink, the satellite internet service provider under Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has paused new subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding counties due to an overwhelming demand that has maxed out its network capacity.
This suspension comes as users from Kenya’s capital and neighbouring regions reported issues in accessing Starlink’s residential, business, and roaming services.
In a statement, Starlink confirmed the suspension, pointing to network saturation in Nairobi and nearby areas like Kiambu, Kajiado, Murang’a, Machakos, Naivasha, and sections of Narok.
The company admitted that the surge in demand exceeded available bandwidth, preventing it from taking on additional customers in these zones. Starlink clarified that users could check availability via its website, although the map now shows the Nairobi area as “sold out.”
Currently, Starlink’s more affordable packages have been exhausted, with only premium plans above Ksh130,000 monthly still available.
Since it entered the Kenyan market in July 2023, Starlink has drawn several customers by offering internet connectivity even in remote areas underserved by traditional internet providers.
As of June 30, 2024, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reported over 8,000 Starlink users, amounting to a 0.5 per cent share in the local market.
Starlink’s popularity and affordability have made it a preferred choice for many Kenyans, particularly those in regions where terrestrial internet options are limited or unreliable.
Yet, this rapid uptake has placed high pressure on the company’s network capacity, especially in densely populated urban areas like Nairobi. To address the demand, Starlink introduced a rental plan for its equipment at Ksh1,950 monthly, which attracted even more subscribers unable to afford the hardware purchase price of Ksh45,500.
The decision to suspend new subscriptions in Kenya also comes as Starlink scales back its roaming services across Africa. Recently, several African countries, including Zimbabwe and Nigeria, have experienced similar service suspensions, with the Starlink service now labelled “sold out” in major cities across the continent.
As an interim measure, Starlink has encouraged users interested in future access to submit their contact details for updates on availability.
