Starlink's Nairobi Service Overwhelmed: New Users Turned Away as Demand Soars

The Overwhelming Demand Starlink's entry into the Kenyan market was met with enthusiasm, particularly in areas where traditional internet services struggled to reach. By June 2024, the company boasted over 8,000 customers, capturing a modest 0.5% market share according to data from Kenya's Communications Authority (CA). However, as more users flocked to the service, complaints began to surface regarding inadequate service provision across residential, business, and ROAM plans. In a recent statement, Starlink acknowledged the situation, explaining, "Nairobi and neighbouring areas are currently at network capacity. This means that too many users are trying to access the Starlink service within Nairobi and there isn't enough bandwidth to support additional residential or roaming customers at this time." Areas Affected The suspension of new subscriptions is not limited to Nairobi alone. Nearby regions such as Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, parts of Murang'a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos, and sections of Narok are also experiencing service disruptions. With seven counties affected, the impact of this network overload is significant, particularly for users who rely on Starlink for their daily internet needs. Starlink has directed potential customers to its official website to check availability, but the mapping indicates that the Nairobi metropolitan area is currently sold out. Moreover, the company has stated that no roaming plans are available in Kenya at this time, leaving many users in limbo. Pricing and Availability While Starlink initially entered the market with promises of affordable packages, the reality has shifted. Currently, only high-end packages priced above Ksh130,000 per month are available, leaving many potential users without options. The company had previously offered a rental service for the Starlink kit at Ksh1,950 per month or a purchase option for Ksh45,500, but even these avenues have become limited. As of August 2024, the pricing for residential packages stands at Ksh6,500 per month for unlimited high-speed internet, while the roaming package is available at Ksh14,000 per month, featuring unlimited mobile data inland, portability, and pause service.