Elon Musk Recognizes President Ruto’s Praise For The Starlink Effect

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has expressed pride in the transformative impact of his satellite internet service provider, Starlink, in Kenya....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

His comments followed President William Ruto’s acknowledgment of Starlink as a pivotal force in fostering competition within the country’s internet market, prompting existing providers like Safaricom to improve their services.

During the US-Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable held in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Ruto emphasized how Starlink’s entry has compelled local telecom companies to enhance their offerings.

“I have my CEO for Safaricom; sometimes, he’s not very happy with me for bringing characters like Elon Musk into the space. But competition makes you keep ahead, and he’s really upped his game,” Ruto remarked.

Launched in Kenya in July 2023, Starlink swiftly disrupted the local internet market by delivering affordable high-speed internet services.

Within just nine months to March 2024, the service significantly boosted satellite internet subscribers, rising over tenfold and stirring concerns among traditional providers who have called for government intervention.

Currently, Starlink offers a competitive 50-gigabyte data package priced at Sh1,300, translating to Sh26 per GB, with speeds reaching up to 220 Mbps.

This pricing and performance starkly contrast with the national average of Sh76.20 per GB and an average internet speed of just 9.78 Mbps, as reported by the Communications Authority (CA).

What sets Starlink apart from competitors like Safaricom, Telkom, Faiba, and Zuku is its reliance on satellite technology, making it especially advantageous for rural areas lacking reliable cable or fiber-optic infrastructure.

As of now, Musk has yet to meet with Ruto, but he has been engaging with global leaders on investment matters while exploring possibilities for expanding Starlink’s service footprint in Africa…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>