Internet users in Kenya are set to enjoy slashed costs of internet purchase after the Elon Musk-owned Starlink Internet firm announced a reduction in installation costs.
Starlink announced a new deal that reduces the price of the standard hardware kit which stood at Ksh45,500, by 34.06 percent.
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The deal is however available exclusively on Starlink’s website and not the company’s local retail partners such as supermarket chain Naivas and e-commerce platform Jumia.
In the offer window which runs until August 14, Kenyans will enjoy a new cost of Ksh29,999 when purchasing the hardware equipment.
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The Kenya Times (TKT) conducted a fact check by visiting Starlink’s website and confirmed that the internet firm has indeed slashed the prices.
At its current discounted price, Kenyans can expect to pay a total of Ksh33,099, factoring in the Ksh3,100 shipping and delivery fees.
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Starlink Launches Cheaper Data Plans in Kenya
The slashed price comes after the internet firm unveiled a new cheaper data plan for the Kenyan market back in June, heating competition for Safaricom and Airtel that currently have a big grip on the segment.
Starlink unveiled a 50 gigabyte (GB) monthly data package at a rate of Ksh1,300, less than half the asking price for Airtel (Ksh3,000) and market leader Safaricom (Ksh2,500), for similar package.
However, subscribers of the Starlink service had to still part with Ksh45,500 for an installation hardware that would unlock access to the offering.
This is in stark contrast to the model adopted by local telcos where users only need to activate a registered SIM card.
When it launched in Kenya a year ago, Starlink’s standard hardware kit cost Ksh89,000. The price went up factoring in shipping and local delivery charges, pushing it past Ksh92,000.
In April 2024, Starlink had reduced the price by more than a half in a promotion which entailed a 55.6 percent reduction in the price of the installation hardware kit in Kenya.
Also Read: Safaricom, Airtel Panic as Elon Musk Internet Enters Kenyan Market
April Offer
Kenyans during the offer window, which was to run until May 15 would enjoy a new cost of Ksh39,500 when purchasing the hardware equipment.
“SpaceX’s Starlink has an offer that applies to all of Kenya for a limited time-over 55 percent off your Starlink kit (now Ksh39,500, was Ksh89,000),” read the promotional message.
Prior to the revised fee, Kenya and Mozambique have been the top-most charged markets for the internet installation compared to other African countries.
As of Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the technology has established its presence in several African countries including Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique, Eswatini, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Madagascar and Malawi.
Starlink’s installation fee covers for hardware kits, including a Starlink dish, a mounting stand, cables, and a power source.
The internet firm which offers high internet speeds of up to 180 Megabits Per Second (Mbps) to remote areas entered the Kenyan market in July 2023.
Also Read: Kenyans to Enjoy Cheap Internet as Elon Musk Launches Promotion
Satellite internet
Globally, it officially launched in 2018 with 3,200 satellites orbiting the low-earth orbit to send internet connectivity signals to users instead of standard broadband, which uses copper and optic fiber cables.
Starlink according to website aims to connect many people worldwide including those in remote areas that traditional internet service providers have not covered.
President William Ruto had in September 2023 urged the satellite internet firm to forge ways on how internet services can be accessed at lower costs in the country.
Ruto made the remarks after visiting SpaceX’s factory in Los Angeles, United States of America which was part of a series of meetings held with different tech companies in the US.
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