Starlink Sees Subscription Dip in Kenya Despite Sign-Up Reopening
SpaceX’s Starlink is experiencing a slowdown in user growth in Kenya, with subscription numbers falling to 17,066 as of March 2025. This decline follows a service interruption in 2024 and comes despite initial excitement surrounding its launch in July 2023, when it was anticipated to revolutionize internet access, especially in rural areas.
Affordability Concerns Hamper Growth
Starlink recently reactivated its sign-up portal for Kenyan residents after temporarily halting new subscriptions. This move indicates Starlink’s continued commitment to the Kenyan market and a desire to boost subscriber numbers. However, the relatively high cost of equipment and monthly service fees remains a significant barrier to wider adoption. These affordability issues are likely contributing to the lower-than-expected subscription rates, dropping from over 19,000 in Q4 2024. Kenya was one of the first African nations to embrace Starlink, with pre-orders starting in early 2023, pending regulatory approvals.
Despite the reopened sign-ups, the challenge for Starlink in Kenya lies in overcoming the affordability hurdle to truly unlock the potential of satellite internet for a broader segment of the population. The company needs to address this key concern to achieve substantial and sustainable growth in the Kenyan market.
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