shrtdb :: Starlink is cheaper than many leading internet providers in Africa

In at least 5 of the 16 African countries where Starlink is available, its monthly subscription is cheaper than the leading fixed internet service provider.
Starlink's satellite-based internet service has disrupted the existing internet service provider industry in Kenya, offering high connectivity speeds, wide availability in remote areas, and dramatically lower prices.
Starlink's adoption in Kenya has been swift, with over 8,000 subscribers as of June 2024, making it the 10th most popular service provider in the country.
Incumbent telecom providers like Safaricom have responded to Starlink's competition by lowering prices and increasing internet speeds.
In rural Kenya, Starlink is becoming a preferred internet provider for households, especially where Safaricom services are expensive or unreliable.
Starlink has had to pause new subscriptions in major Kenyan cities due to network overload, and plans to deploy more infrastructure to accommodate more users.
The global Starlink boom raises concerns about monopolization, as a single dominant player could lead to price hikes and decreasing quality of service.
Kenyan telecoms have raised concerns about Starlink taking market share away from local companies that employ thousands of people on the African continent.
Satellite internet's reach makes it an important tool for getting more people online in areas that are internet-poor, such as parts of Africa.
According to ITU data, only 38% of the population in Africa uses the internet, compared to 91% in Europe, highlighting the need for improved connectivity.