Starlink Resumes Nairobi Registrations Following 7-Month Suspension
After a seven-month hiatus due to network congestion, Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has resumed new user sign-ups in Nairobi and surrounding counties. This pause, which started in late 2024, affected areas like Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
The resumption of sign-ups is set to have a significant impact on Kenya's competitive broadband market. During the subscription freeze, Starlink lost over 2,000 subscribers in Kenya, leading to a 10.8% decline in active users from 19,146 to 17,066 by March 2025. This decrease in market share, from 1.1% to 0.9%, pushed Starlink from seventh to eighth place among internet service providers (ISPs).
The Kenyan government's plans to significantly increase satellite license fees and add a turnover levy could further impact Starlink's market position. However, Starlink remains vital for remote and peri-urban areas lacking fiber coverage, with costs of KES 30,000 ($232) for hardware and KES 6,500 ($50) monthly.
The resumption of sign-ups suggests improvements in backend infrastructure. In January 2025, Starlink activated a local ground station in Nairobi, increasing bandwidth and reducing latency. This move reflects Starlink's efforts to meet Africa's increasing demand for reliable high-speed internet, though capacity challenges persist in key cities.
Starlink has also reopened sign-ups in other African cities like Lusaka, Kano, Port Harcourt, Warri, Accra, and parts of Zimbabwe. However, some major urban centers remain restricted due to capacity limitations. The usage patterns and bandwidth management are influencing the satellite internet rollout across the African continent.
Interestingly, while Nairobi faced a freeze, rural areas like Vihiga remained open for Starlink installations with little interruption. The contrast between urban and rural usage patterns and bandwidth management during the Starlink freeze highlights the unique challenges and opportunities in satellite internet rollout across Africa.
The return of Starlink in urban areas marks a broader shift, indicating that satellite internet infrastructure is starting to meet African demand, particularly in cities. The satellite internet rollout across the continent is being shaped by factors such as usage patterns, bandwidth management, and infrastructure development.
Despite the challenges, Starlink continues to be a significant player in Kenya's broadband market, offering a reliable high-speed internet solution for areas lacking traditional fiber coverage. The resumption of sign-ups in Nairobi and surrounding counties is a major win for urban users in Kenya who've been locked out since late 2024.
**Sources:** [1] Njoroge, N. (2025). Kenya's Starlink: A New Dawn for Satellite Internet. Techweez. Retrieved from https://techweez.com/2025/03/01/kenyas-starlink-a-new-dawn-for-satellite-internet/
[2] Mwangi, M. (2025). Starlink Resumes Sign-Ups in Nairobi and Surrounding Counties. The Standard. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001363058/starlink-resumes-sign-ups-in-nairobi-and-surrounding-counties
[3] Communications Authority of Kenya. (2025). Market Performance Report Q1 2025. Retrieved from https://www.ca.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Market-Performance-Report-Q1-2025.pdf
[4] SpaceX. (2025). Starlink Availability. Retrieved from https://www.starlink.com/availability
[5] Communications Authority of Kenya. (2024). Market Performance Report Q4 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ca.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Market-Performance-Report-Q4-2024.pdf
- The resumption of Starlink sign-ups in Nairobi and surrounding counties signifies a significant advancement in Kenya's competitive broadband market, given the technology-driven service it provides in the realm of space-and-astronomy.
- As Starlink reopens sign-ups in various African cities, including Nairobi, it showcases the growing influence of science, particularly satellite technology, in addressing Africa's increasing demand for reliable high-speed internet.
