Starlink Terminals Sell Out in Major Cities in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe


Starlink terminals have sold out in major cities in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe, signalling the high adoption of its satellite services across Africa. These include Harare and its environs in Zimbabwe, Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, and Nairobi, Kenya. Starlink’s high-speed internet service has also sold out in several Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Waari. This means customers in these regions cannot place new orders for terminals because “the service is not available in the area,” according to Starlink. Additionally, this is due to Starlink reaching its maximum capacity for residential plans, as seen in Harare. The company will not accept more orders until further expansion and additional bandwidth are in place. Starlink has not yet indicated when it will increase its capacity in the affected areas.
For Zimbabwe, this comes barely two months after the company started operating in the country in early September. Since the SpaceX-affiliated company received its operating licence in Zimbabwe, interest in Starlink services has surged. Customers are now purchasing terminals directly from the website, avoiding the once-thriving street market that had been reselling the kits at high prices.
The adoption of Starlink has been rapidly soaring in Kenya and Nigeria, leading to such outcomes. Despite price increases in several countries, such as Kenya and Malawi, the expansion of its customer base continues. These developments underscore the countries’ increasing reliance on satellite internet services to meet their needs. Additionally, they emphasise consumers’ preference for options that give them fast, reliable, and affordable internet access.
How are Telcos Responding to Starlink’s Rapid Growth?
In response to this rapid growth and adoption of Starlink services across Africa, telcos and local service internet providers are responding accordingly to assert their relevance in the ever-evolving market. In Kenya, Safaricom- the country’s leading internet service provider, has announced its plans to partner with a satellite internet provider to boost internet connectivity. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa noted that satellite internet should complement the existing infrastructure, especially in remote and rural areas.
“Starlink will evolve, and we will partner at some point, whether with Starlink or another satellite provider,Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa”
Additionally, Peter Ndegwa stated that the company will soon introduce internet speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte per second (Gbps) for consumers. He explained that the move was part of the company’s strategy to remain competitive and dynamic.
Such views have also been expressed outside Kenya. Telecom companies in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Cameroon have also raised concerns, accusing Starlink of having an unfair advantage.
In Zimbabwe, Starlink’s arrival pushed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Liquid Home, the largest fixed provider, to cut prices. At the same time, the state-owned TelOne teamed up with Eutelsat’s OneWeb to offer satellite internet to stay competitive. Mobile operators in Nigeria have also responded to Starlink’s decision to raise internet subscription prices. Operators such as MTN, Airtel, and Globacom have also sought approval from the regulatory authority to increase their tariffs, a change that has not happened in over a decade. The telecom regulator has prompted operators to explore new strategies to keep their businesses competitive.
For Africa’s leading telecoms, the arrival of Starlink and other LEO providers signals a new wave of competition, demanding innovation and flexibility. From increasing fibre speeds to bundling services or pushing for stricter regulations, Africa’s telcos are preparing to protect their positions as Starlink gains ground.
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