Safaricom PLC, Kenya’s leading telecommunications firm, has announced a significant expansion of its 5G network connectivity across the country. This move comes in the wake of increased competition from Starlink, the satellite internet service offered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
In a bold step to strengthen its market position, Safaricom has advanced its 5G connections to 1,114 sites spread across all 47 counties in Kenya. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, revealed that these 5G sites now cover 102 towns, offering high-speed internet to individuals, businesses, and homes.
“Safaricom remains committed to leading digital transformation in Kenya,” Ndegwa stated. “We achieve this through the provision of a worry-free, ubiquitous network enabling access to information, critical services, and communication.” He emphasized that the benefits of 5G will be a key catalyst in advancing innovations, industries, and the digital economy.
This expansion builds on Safaricom’s initial launch of Kenya’s first 5G network and WiFi product in October 2022, which targeted customers without access to home fiber. The company has consistently promoted its network as offering the fastest speeds and most reliable connection.
However, Safaricom’s move appears to be in direct response to the growing presence of Starlink in Kenya. Starlink, which began operations in the country in July 2023, has recently made its services more accessible to Kenyans by lowering its installation fees.
In a competitive pricing strategy, Starlink now offers its installation kit for KSh 29,999, with an additional KSh 6,500 installation fee. Subscribers can then access unlimited, high-speed internet for a monthly fee starting at KSh 1,300. This pricing model has made Starlink an attractive alternative for many Kenyans, especially in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking.
The competition between Safaricom and Starlink underscores the rapidly evolving landscape of internet connectivity in Kenya. As Safaricom pushes to expand its 5G network, and Starlink offers an increasingly affordable satellite internet option, Kenyan consumers and businesses stand to benefit from improved internet access and potentially lower prices.
This development is likely to have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s digital economy, potentially accelerating innovation and improving access to online services across the country. As the competition heats up, it remains to be seen how other internet service providers in Kenya will respond to maintain their market share in this increasingly dynamic sector.
