Starlink, the satellite internet service provider under Elon Musk's SpaceX, has introduced a hardware kit rental option in Kenya.
This new offering aims to make the service more accessible by lowering the upfront costs that have deterred many potential customers.
The rental option requires a one-time activation fee of Ksh.2,700 and a monthly hardware rental fee of Ksh.1,950. Service plans start at Ksh.1,300 per month and deliver internet speeds up to 200Mbps.
Since entering the Kenyan market in July 2023, Starlink has aggressively positioned itself as a competitive alternative to local providers like Safaricom and Airtel by offering better internet speeds and more affordable pricing.
The Starlink kit was initially priced at Ksh.74,000 but has since dropped significantly, with recent promotions bringing it down to Ksh.29,000.
The company has also launched cost-effective service plans to challenge local competitors, including a 50 GB monthly data plan for just Ksh.1,300, undercutting similar offerings from Airtel and Safaricom.
Starlink aims to expand its market share in Kenya's increasingly competitive internet services landscape by introducing these lower-cost options.
