Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by SpaceX, has chosen Kenya as the location of its first physical office in Africa. The move signals the company’s ambition to expand its services across the continent and provide high-speed connectivity to millions of people who lack reliable internet access.
According to a job vacancy posted by SpaceX, the company is looking for a Global Licensing Activation Manager, in sub-Saharan Africa, who will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves managing a portfolio of countries, interfacing with regulators and stakeholders, and enabling Starlink to become licensed as an internet service provider (ISP) and bring the country online.
Starlink is a revolutionary internet service that uses a network of thousands of small satellites orbiting the Earth at low altitudes. These satellites communicate with ground stations and user terminals, which are small devices that can be installed on rooftops, vehicles, or boats. The system aims to deliver fast, reliable, and affordable internet to any location on the planet, even in remote and rural areas.
Starlink’s launch in Kenya comes at a time when the demand for internet services is growing rapidly in Africa, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many people to work and learn from home. However, the continent still faces many challenges in terms of internet infrastructure, affordability, and quality. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 28.2% of Africans had access to the internet in 2020, compared to the global average of 53.6%. Moreover, the average broadband speed in Africa was 10.5 Mbps, far below the global average of 32.2 Mbps, according to Speedtest.
Starlink hopes to change this situation by offering a competitive alternative to the existing ISPs, which often rely on undersea cables, fiber optic networks, or mobile networks to provide internet access. Starlink claims that its service can offer speeds of up to 150 Mbps, with a latency of 20 to 40 milliseconds, which is comparable to terrestrial broadband. The company also says that its service is more resilient to natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes, which can damage or disrupt terrestrial infrastructure.
Starlink’s entry into the African market could also have a positive impact on the continent’s socio-economic development, as internet access is linked to improved education, health, and business opportunities. According to a report by the World Bank, a 10% increase in broadband penetration in low- and middle-income countries can result in a 1.38% increase in GDP growth. Furthermore, a study by the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) found that achieving universal, affordable, and good-quality internet access in Africa by 2030 would lift 140 million people out of poverty and increase the continent’s GDP by $2.2 trillion.
However, Starlink also faces some challenges and uncertainties in its African expansion. One of them is the regulatory environment, which varies from country to country and may pose some barriers or delays for the company to obtain the necessary licenses and approvals. Another challenge is the cost of the service, which may be prohibitive for many potential customers. Starlink currently charges $99 per month for its service, plus a one-time fee of $499 for the user terminal, tripod, and Wi-Fi router. This is equivalent to about 10,000 Kenyan shillings per month and 50,000 Kenyan shillings for the equipment, which is more than the average monthly income of a Kenyan household.
Starlink says that it plans to lower the cost of its service and equipment over time, as it launches more satellites and improves its technology. The company also says that it is working with local partners and organizations to make its service more accessible and affordable for different segments of the market, such as schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities. Starlink has already launched its service in some parts of Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia, and aims to cover the whole of Africa by the end of 2022.
Starlink’s vision is to connect the unconnected and bridge the digital divide in Africa. By choosing Kenya as its first office in the continent, the company is showing its commitment and confidence in the region’s potential and opportunities. Starlink’s launch in Kenya could be a game-changer for Africa’s internet access and a catalyst for its digital transformation.
Source: Business Day
