Internet users in Kenya are set to enjoy slashed costs of internet purchase after Starlink Internet firm, which is owned by Billionaire Elon Musk and X owner, announced a reduction in installation costs.
The company made the announcement in a new promotional message which entails a 55.6 percent reduction in the price of the installation hardware kit in Kenya.
In the offer window which runs until May 15, Kenyans will enjoy a new cost of Ksh39,500 when purchasing the hardware equipment.
This is a significant change which is down from the Ksh89,000 asking price during normal sales.
“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.
The reduction comes after the internet service company slashed the price of its hardware in other several African countries.
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Starlink announces new prices in Africa
Earlier this month, the company announced new prices in Nigeria which saw the Starlink internet router being sold for a new price of N440,000 (Ksh45,390).
This was also a significant change down from N800, 000 (Ksh82,528) as of April 9, according to an update released by the company.
Also, the company which is a subsidiary of SpaceX slashed its hardware price in South Africa.
Although the company is not licensed in South Africa, residents still manage to access its service locally using a global or regional roaming subscription.
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Starlink in an advertisement earlier in April announced that it had slashed its hardware price from ZAR 12,000 (Ksh85,116) to ZAR 6,800 (Ksh48,232), representing a 43% decrease.
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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.
Satellite internet
It officially launched globally 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.
According to Starlink’s website, the company aims to connect many people worldwide including those in remote areas that traditional Internet service providers have not covered.
Prior to the revised fee, Kenya and Mozambique have been the top-most charged markets for the installation of the internet compared to the other African countries.
As of April 26,2024, the technology has established its presence in Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Eswatini, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, and Malawi.
The fee for installation covers for hardware kits, including a Starlink dish, a mounting stand, cables, and a power source.
President William Ruto had in September 2023 urged the satellite internet firm to forge ways on how internet services can be accessed at lower cost 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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