Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, has raised concerns about the regulatory environment surrounding the entry of satellite internet providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink.

The company has urged the Kenyan government to implement stricter regulations for these providers, calling for the apprehension about the possibility of them receiving independent licenses.

In a formal letter addressed to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), Safaricom urged the regulator to consider requiring satellite providers to partner with local mobile network operators.

Part of the letter reads,

“Satellite coverage inherently spans multiple territorial borders and in doing so has the potential to illegally provide services and cause harmful interference within the territorial borders of the Republic of Kenya”.

Safaricom’s concerns are centered on the potential risks of satellite coverage extending across multiple borders, which could lead to unauthorized service provision within Kenya. The company warned that such practices could result in “harmful interference” with local telecommunications services. 

The telecom giant is advocating for a regulatory framework that ensures satellite providers like Starlink operate under similar conditions as local telecom companies, particularly regarding licensing, service standards, and contributions to the Universal Service Fund, which supports the expansion of telecommunications services to rural and underserved areas.

This classification would ensure that these companies invest locally, create employment opportunities, and adhere to Kenyan regulations, maintaining a level playing field in the market.

Safaricom’s recent concerns have sparked widespread reactions from Kenyan Netizens on X,

@Towett B wrote,

“Safaricom thought that orchestrating plans to revoke Starlink licenses in Kenya would protect their market, but they got it wrong. Instead it turns out that they marketed it even further to the extent that I installed a total of 7 hardware hapa Mau Summit. They won’t believe it.”

@Ochieng Malo wrote,

“Safaricom must lower their prices and target the mass market as was done by their founding fathers/mothers. They make obscene profits already.”

@NANKONFOMIST wrote,

“There is enough space for everyone. Why does Safaricom want to create policies that will monopolize internet provision to Kenyans? Competition and growth should be welcome, just like landlines were faced out, let us be willing to accept the next concept. I detest this. Safaricom has made enough benefits already, and nobody is stopping them from reinventing themselves. Change is inevitable! Old is old!”

@Dr Korir MD wrote,

“Safaricom wants to monopolize mobile services and internet access in Kenya, especially with the emergence of Starlink. No no no. Let Kenyans access services freely, and out of their own choice, based on available competitors”.

@Nurdin elmoge wrote,

“Safaricom should not dictate which services Kenyans can or cannot use. The company has consistently fallen short in offering fair services to its customers. It’s time to break the monopoly and embrace diversity in our communication choices. Say no to Safaricom’s dominance.”

@Teddy Murigi wrote,

“Let Safaricom set up their radio access service in space and rival the likes of Starlink for the Kenyan market. Kenyans cannot be locked out of a groundbreaking technology simply because the service provider has no local license.”

From the comments, the majority of Kenyans suggest that Safaricom feels threatened by the entry of Starlink into the Kenyan market, as it introduces a new level of competition that could disrupt the existing telecom landscape. Starlink’s satellite-based internet service offers high-speed, low-latency connectivity, particularly advantageous in remote and underserved areas where Safaricom and other traditional telecom providers have struggled to establish robust infrastructure.

The threat comes from the potential for Starlink to bypass local networks entirely, providing direct internet access to consumers without relying on terrestrial infrastructure. This could undermine Safaricom’s significant investments in network development across Kenya, especially in rural regions where the company has been working to expand its reach.

Additionally, Safaricom’s concerns about “harmful interference” and the potential for illegal service provision within Kenya’s borders suggest that the company is wary of losing market control to a global player like Starlink. Safaricom’s call for satellite providers to operate as infrastructure providers is likely an attempt to ensure that companies like Starlink are subject to the same regulatory and operational constraints as local telecom operators, thereby protecting its market position and investment.

Starlink, which launched in Kenya in July 2023, has continued to expand across Africa, offering satellite-based internet services that bypass traditional ground infrastructure. It currently operates in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Benin, South Sudan, Eswatini and Sierra Leone. While the company has faced regulatory hurdles in some countries, it has introduced competitive pricing and hardware rental plans, making its services more accessible.