Starlink is making waves in Kenya with its promise of high-speed internet in even the most remote locations. Some people are even saying it’s better than Safaricom. Naturally it made me curious. I needed to find out just how good the Elon Musk owned internet is.
Does it make sense to replace your current internet provider with Starlink? Price is still a major limiting factor, but there are ways you can overcome that. We will discuss all that in this post.
Follow along as we explore:
- The difference between Satellite internet and the normal fiber internet we have in the country
- A detailed review of Starlink including download speeds, upload speeds, latency, and range
- How Starlink compares with Safaricom internet and other local ISPs
- How to overcome the price factor and get the best out of Starlink
Or you can jump to the part you’re most interested in:
What is Satellite internet
Satellite internet is a type of internet connection that uses satellites orbiting the Earth to deliver broadband service. Unlike traditional fiber or cable internet, which relies on physical cables running through the ground, satellite internet beams data between a satellite dish on the ground and a satellite in space.
This makes it ideal for remote or rural areas where traditional internet infrastructure may be too expensive or difficult to install. However, because of the distance between ground receivers and the satellites, this internet type is typically characterized by high ping/latency.
Everything you need to know about Starlink
Before we can get into the detailed review here is a short summary.
The good:
- Excellent internet speeds
- Portable allowing you to carry your internet anywhere you go
- Very easy to configure and use
- Excellent for business
The bad:
- It’s expensive
- Not ideal for online gaming
Starlink speeds and general performance
You’ve probably seen the ads promising speeds of up to 200 Mbps. That’s the best case scenario. In reality and based on tests performed by Starlink users in Kenya, you should expect download speeds ranging between 50Mbps and 150Mbps. Still these are great speeds especially considering what you get from the local ISPs. More on this later when we compare Starlink with Safaricom.
Also, don’t get too hang up on speed tests because they don’t always provide the full picture of an internet service’s performance. Instead, focus on how well your internet handles real-world tasks, such as:
- Buffer-free video streaming even in ultra HD
- Downloading large files in a reasonable amount of time
- Online gaming performance—though Starlink may struggle with fast-paced, competitive games due to latency issues
The downsides
Starlink’s upload is a bit on the lower side and registered speeds less than 10Mbps in most of the tests I encountered. It’s still adequate for everyday use, but you’ll get better speeds on other similarly priced packages from local providers.
Latency is also a major issue with Starlink meaning it’s not ideal for activities that require rapid real-time responses, such as competitive online gaming. One minute you’re chasing your opponents defender, the next they’re celebrating a goal that you have no idea how it went in.
In terms of range, Starlink’s router is more limited compared to some standard routers available in Kenya. Unfortunately, you can’t just plug a third-party router directly to the Starlink router. You’ll need to first purchase the Starlink Ethernet adapter which will set you back KES 15,000.
Oh, pirates should also be wary. there’s was an incidenet where a Starlink user reported being served with a legal notice after using it to download a torrent file.
Starlink Kenya price
Starlink offers several pricing packages in Kenya, each tailored to different needs. The packages vary depending on whether you’re using the service at a fixed location or require mobility. It’s another unique aspect of Starlink. You can carry your internet with you if you chose to.
Here are the main Starlink packages available in Kenya:
- Residential Package – Ksh 6,500 per month: This package is designed for users at a fixed location, providing reliable internet access for home use. There is also an option to buy 50GB for Ksh 1,300, but it doesn’t make sense getting Starlink just to subscribe to a 50GB plan. There are other cost-effective alternatives.
- Business Package – KES 8,000 per month: Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that need stable internet connections.
- Roaming Package – KES 14,000 per month: This plan allows users to take their Starlink setup anywhere within Kenya, making it ideal for people who travel frequently and need to stay connected on the go
- Landline Package – KES 34,000 per month: Primarily for businesses or enterprises in fixed locations with higher data needs and more stable connections.
- Maritime Package – KES 34,900 per month: Specifically designed for maritime users, ensuring they remain connected while on ships or boats at sea.
Starlink kit costs
Starlink is currently giving its Kenyan users the option to buy or rent their kit.
- Purchase Option: The current price for the Starlink kit (which includes a dish, stand, and router) is KES 45,000. This is after a significant price drop from the previous KES 89,000. The company was offering a limited-time offer price of KES 30,000, but is no longer available at the time of writing this.
- Rental Option: For those not ready to make a full purchase, you pay a one-time activation fee of KES 2,700 and then a monthly rental fee of KES 1,950, on top of your subscription cost. If you ask me, the purchase option is better as it saves you a lot of money in the long run.
Payment method
Starlink makes it easy to subscribe with support for card payments and mobile money options like Mpesa. After payment, you’ll receive an email with your login credentials, and instructions on how to set up your Starlink account.
Where to buy
Authorized Starlink vendors in Kenya are Elite Digital, Jumia, Naivas and Redington. Purchasing from one of these authorized vendors ensures that you get legitimate Starlink equipment and warranty. Starlink has a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that if you’re not satisfied with their services, you can return the equipment and get your money back before 30 days are over.
Setup and Installation
Setting up Starlink is designed to be simple and user-friendly even for those with limited technical knowledge. Once you have your Starlink kit, which includes a dish, stand, router, and power cord, you can follow a straightforward setup process to get online quickly without needing professional help.
Here’s a rough overview of the setup process:
- Find a perfect spot for the dish. It’s crucial to place the dish in an area with a clear view of the sky and no obstructions like trees or buildings. This will ensure the dish can establish a strong and consistent connection with Starlink’s satellites.
- Connect the dish with your router. Starlink provides you with a 75M long cable which should give you some flexibility in placement.
- Power on the router. The Starlink dish automatically adjusts itself to align with the satellites overhead. There’s no need for manual adjustment to establish a connection.
- Download and open starlink app to finish configuring your account. The app is incredibly intuitive. It will guide you through every step from scanning the sky to identify obstructions to setting up your WiFi name and password. It also makes other network configuration functionalities very accessible compared to the standard routers.
One thing to note, turning on the Starlink router can take longer than typical fiber routers (10-20 minutes). This is likely due to the time required for the dish to lock onto satellites and establish a strong connection.
Safaricom vs Starlink
Now to the interesting part, is Starlink better than Safaricom? We would all love for it to be the better option, but unfortunately it’s not. If you have access to Safaricom fibre internet, there’s absolutely no need to shift to the more expensive Starlink. Safaricom is the better option. It may not reach the same speeds as Starlink, but it guarantees fast download speeds, buffers free video streaming in all qualities, and seamless gaming experience.
However, if you’re outside the coverage area of Safaricom’s fiber internet, that’s where things get interesting. In the past, you could either opt for Safaricom’s wireless offering which starts at KES 3,000/month for 140GB, or go for a different ISP. Zuku and Mawingu are two of the most popular options, but there are a lot more depending on your location. With Starlink there’s now another option that is worth considering not just a replacement for your current ISP but as a potential business idea.
Starlink as a business idea
I can’t imagine a scenario where one buys Starlink kit for KES 45,000 and pays KES 6,500 per month just to watch Netflix, surf the internet, and make video calls. That’s not very good use of money. But, if you have other people near you looking for good internet, then you have yourself an opportunity. Starlink has the capability to serve at least 15 people at optimal speeds.
In this case, you can get Starlink and sell it to them. Even at KES 1500 per month, you have a cool 22,500. In an year, you’ll have recouped any investment you made purchasing Starlink and any additional networking equipment. Remember though, like with every business, it has its risks.
Why is Safaricom going after Starlink
If Starlink is not a threat to Saf, why is it being targeted? The Kenyan telecommunication giant recently filed a suit requiring Starlink to be more regulated. It’s seeking to have the Communications Authority reinstate a previous mandate requiring Satellite service providers to only operate in Kenya if they have an agreement with a local company.
My thoughts is that it has something to do with Safaricom’s ambition to venture into satellite internet.
In early 2023, the company announced plans to launch its own satellite internet service in partnership with AST SpaceMobile. This makes Starlink a direct challenger. However, the US company is backed by the world’s richest man and already has over 4,000 satellites (and counting) in space. In comparison, Safaricom’s partner AST only has three satellites.
So, Safaricom has now identified another opportunity and is trying to use the government to force Starlink to share its spoils with a local company. Guess which company that would be? Zimbabwe has already pulled a similar move on Starlink forcing it to partner with a local company in order to continue operations.
Unfortunately, if this goes through then it’s the average person who stands to lose as Starlink prices will likely go up. Worse still, it puts us at the mercy of the government and can lead to a situation such as a while back when Safaricom shut down the country’s internet in the heat of protests.
Conclusion
There you have it, everything you need to know about Starlink. Does it sound like something you would consider?
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