SpaceX Founder Elon Musk on Wednesday, June 26, announced that Kenya would start receiving cheaper internet later this year through Starlink.
Elon Musk made the statement after multiple complaints from Kenyans that setting up Starlink was expensive.
Additionally, Kenyans complained about the stability of other internet service providers as they use undersea cables.
Destruction or compromise of those sea cables has routinely caused a partial internet outage in Kenya.
Starlink on the other hand uses satellites and as such will not be affected by the destruction of undersea cables although its internet strength could be affected by extreme weather conditions like heavy storms as the signal strength diminishes as it passes through moisture-laden clouds.
“Starlink Mini will be about half the standard terminal price and available later this year,” Elon Musk assured Kenyans.
Currently, Starlink offers a 50GB data package for Ksh1,300 per month competing with top telecommunications companies in the country.
While the package is relatively cheap, Kenyans wanting to opt into the service are charged an initial Ksh45,000 for the installation hardware.
Taking to X which is also owned by Elon Musk, Kenyans complained that it was expensive to invest in the current package and requested for a cheaper alternative.
The Starlink Mini proposed by Elon Musk will be a satellite internet antenna that is small enough to allow portability.
According to SpaceX, the Starlink will be roughly the size of a laptop and will be an ideal internet solution for Kenyans on the go.
Elon Musk has not revealed how much the product will cost for Kenyans but has assured it will be more affordable than the current package.
