
Starlink Internet Services Kenya has reported 108.2pc increase in the number of subscribers in Kenya to 16, 786 according to the latest data by the Communications Authority.
First quarter statistics released by the communications regulator show that Starlink Internet Services Kenya which is affiliated to American billionaire Elon Musk, increased its subscriptions from 8,147 reported in the fourth quarter between April and June to 16, 786 between July and September 2024.
During the period, the internet service provider which continues to gain popularity in Kenya since launch in July 2023 rose to become Kenya’s 8th largest internet service provider with a market share of 1.1pc from 10th in the previous quarter with a market share of 0.5pc
The increase in the number of Starlink subscribers in Kenya who have opted for a satellite internet has seen the market leader Safaricom PLC lose 0.2pc of its market share during the quarter under review despite an increase in the number of subscribers from 545,812 in the last quarter to 575,835 in the July-September 2024 period.
Jamii Telecom is still the second largest ISP in the country with 384,616 equivalent to 24.4pc of the market share. Wananchi Group is third largest ISP in Kenya followed by Poa Internet Kenya with 265,194 and 198,609 subscribers respectively.
As a result of availability of Starlink satellite internet, Kenya also realized a significant increase of utilized satellite internet capacity.
“Utilized satellite internet capacity grew significantly by 152.8pc to reach 2,124.438 Gbps. This growth corresponds to the growth in satellite subscriptions following some customer acquisition initiatives by Starlink Internet Services Kenya,” said CA.
CA says total available/lit international internet bandwidth capacity in the country increased from 22,154.438 Gbps recorded last quarter to 24,195.320 Gbps, a 9.2pc rise.
Further, utilized undersea bandwidth rose by 1.1pc to15, 287.222 Gbps out of which 12,333.402 Gbps was used in the country and 2,953.820 Gbps transited to other countries, CA states in the report.
Ronald Owili