Starlink Launches 'Mini' Option in Kenya, Slashing Hardware Costs

American satellite internet company Starlink has expanded its offerings in Kenya with the introduction of a more affordable and portable option called 'Starlink Mini'.

This new package launched globally on June 21, is now available for purchase by Kenyan subscribers, as announced by the company on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. The Starlink Mini hardware kit is priced at Sh27,000, a significant reduction from the Sh45,500 price tag of the standard package. This price difference is the primary distinction between the two options, as the monthly service fees remain unchanged. Subscribers can choose between the residential subscription at Sh6,500, the new residential lite option at Sh4,000 for personal or household use at a fixed location, or the limited 50-gigabyte package at Sh1,300.

While the standard kit is designed for high-demand internet applications, Starlink recommends the mini kit for basic internet needs. The mini kit features integrated Wi-Fi and a pipe adapter mount compatible with poles between 31 and 50 millimetres in diameter. It can support up to 128 connected devices, compared to the standard kit's capacity of 235 devices and coverage area of 297 square meters. This latest offering is part of Starlink's aggressive strategy to strengthen its position in Kenya's internet market, which is currently dominated by Safaricom with a 37.4 per cent market share as of March 2024.

Starlink first entered the Kenyan market in July 2023 with an installation kit priced at Sh89,000. To accelerate market penetration, the company later reduced the price to Sh45,500 and introduced additional incentives, including the 50GB monthly package at Sh1,300 in June 2024. Last month, Starlink further enhanced its accessibility by introducing a rental option for the hardware kit at a monthly rate of Sh1,950. This option allows users to access the service for short-term periods without incurring the full kit purchase cost. President William Ruto has defended his decision to allow Starlink's entry into the Kenyan market, emphasizing the importance of competition in the telecommunications sector.

Speaking at a business roundtable in New York, he acknowledged that while some local providers might not be entirely pleased with the increased competition, it ultimately drives improvement in services. In response to the increased competition, Safaricom has boosted internet speeds for its home and business customers to better meet evolving consumer and enterprise needs. The satellite-based internet service offered by Starlink provides a significant advantage in rural areas where traditional cable or fiber optic infrastructure is limited or non-existent. This makes it a valuable addition to Kenya's internet landscape, potentially bridging the digital divide by providing high-speed connectivity to remote regions.