The American satellite internet service provider Starlink came to Kenya in July 2023, setting the stage for intensified competition with local players.
At the time, the company, which is an outgrowth of Elon Musk’s space technology firm SpaceX, appointed local internet provider Karibu Connect as its first authorized reseller in the country and across East Africa.
The Ministry of Information and Technology signed a framework agreement with Karibu Connect to connect numerous government facilities, schools, and other public institutions to the Internet using Starlink.
Karibu Connect is a leading telecommunications company in Kenya revolutionizing connectivity in the country through its partnership with Starlink Satellite Internet.
The company was tasked with extending Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity to diverse sectors in rural Kenya, including small businesses, industry, telecommunications, multi-dwelling units, education, tourism and hospitality, maritime, and government organizations.
What Karibu Connect Does
It also provides Starlink enterprise services for both fixed and mobile applications, including vehicle-mounted solutions for use on the go or on boats and ships operating both inland and offshore.
Karibu Connect distinguishes itself by offering an encompassing suite of turnkey connectivity solutions. These include managed Wi-Fi, cybersecurity, and professional installation services.
The company also designs flexible hardware leasing plans to make the satellite’s connectivity accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Furthermore, it provides an online portal for seamless monitoring and management of all aspects of Starlink services. Tailored solutions for public Wi-Fi hotspots and 4G/5G backhaul are also available.
Starlink hardware and services are available immediately for qualified customers throughout Kenya with competitive pricing and support for local payments in Kenyan Shillings (Ksh) including electronic payment methods like M-Pesa.
Also Read: Starlink: Cost, Advantages & How the Satellite Internet Service Works
Starlink Introducing Rental Option
Earlier this month, the service provider introduced a kit rental option in Kenya to offer an accessible solution for customers taking on local internet providers.
The offer allows customers to pay a one-time activation fee of Ksh 2,700 and rent the Starlink equipment at a monthly rate of Ksh 1,950.
However, these costs are separate from the monthly internet service plans, which start at Ksh 1,300 for a 50GB plan or an unlimited package for Ksh 6,500.
Without the rental option, users would need to purchase the hardware kit at a standard price of Ksh 45,500 to access the service.
Also Read: Safaricom Clarifies Cancelling M-PESA Payments for Starlink Customers
How Starlink Works
Unlike traditional fiber-powered networks, the Satellite’s technology consists of a vast network of small satellites in low Earth orbit, operating at altitudes between 340 and 1,200 kilometers.
Furthermore, users on the ground access the Internet via phased-array user terminals, commonly known as dishes, which automatically align themselves with passing satellites, ensuring a continuous and stable Internet connection.
The satellites along with user hardware enables users worldwide to access high speed internet connections suitable for streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more.
This technology also supports services that traditional terrestrial solutions cannot, allowing unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps.
Notably, its major strength lies in its ability to deliver high-speed internet with low latency, making it ideal for rural and remote areas where traditional internet services are limited or unreliable.
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