Starlink has halted new subscriptions for its internet services in Nairobi and the surrounding regions due to a network overload.
This decision comes after numerous users in the greater Nairobi metropolitan area reported that the company was unable to deliver residential, business, and ROAM service plans.
The announcement surprised many prospective subscribers, although they remain hopeful for a return to normal service.
In its explanation, the technology firm, established by Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, stated that it had reached its capacity in terms of users and bandwidth, making it impossible to accommodate any further customers.
“Nairobi and neighbouring areas are currently at network capacity. This means that too many users are trying to access the Starlink service within Nairobi and there isn’t enough bandwidth to support additional residential or roaming customers at this time,” a statement said.
To determine the current availability of residential service in your area, Starlink has advised users to visit its official website for availability checks.
However, the mapping indicates that the Nairobi metropolis is fully subscribed.
“No roaming plans are available in Kenya at this time. Starlink is working to restore service in the disrupted areas and a notification will be sent once the residential plan is back,” Starlink added.
Affected regions also encompass Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, certain areas of Murang’a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos, and portions of Narok.
In total, seven counties experienced the impact.
The company indicated that the affordable packages were currently unavailable, with only those priced above Sh130,000 per month being offered.
Starlink made its entry into the Kenyan market in July 2023, promising low-cost internet connectivity, a move that encountered criticism within the market.
Despite this, the adoption of Starlink has been notable, largely due to its capability to provide services in regions where terrestrial solutions are not feasible, such as the northeastern parts of Kenya.
Due to the high cost of the equipment, the company introduced a rental option for the Starlink kit at Sh1,950 per month, or customers could purchase the kit for Sh45,500.
Data from the Communications Authority (CA) reveals that by June 30, 2024, Starlink had acquired over 8,000 customers in Kenya, representing a market share of 0.5 percent.
As of August 2024, the monthly fee for unlimited high-speed, low-latency internet for residential homes in Kenya was set at Ksh 6,500.
The roaming package is priced at Ksh 14,000 per month and includes features such as unlimited mobile data within the country, portability, and the option to pause the service.
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