Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, has temporarily suspended new subscriptions in Nairobi, Kenya, and six other counties due to overwhelming demand that has led to network congestion.
The service provider revealed that the number of users attempting to access its network has surpassed capacity, affecting bandwidth and preventing them from accommodating additional residential or roaming customers for the time being.
This decision affects the counties of Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, parts of Murang’a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos, and some areas of Narok. Starlink confirmed that its network capacity in these regions is fully utilized, limiting its ability to support more users.
Currently, there are no roaming plans available in Kenya. Starlink works diligently to restore services in the affected areas and will notify customers once residential plans are reinstated. Due to this disruption, the company has paused selling its more affordable residential plans. Customers in Nairobi and other impacted regions have expressed frustration over the lack of roaming options that could bypass the current restrictions.
Kenyan netizens have shared their thoughts on Starlink’s decision to halt new subscriptions. One user remarked, “This is great; Kenyans embrace better service. Starlink, step up your game—Kenya is a thriving market.” Another commented, “Safaricom will soon become obsolete,” while a third highlighted, “This challenge shows the increasing need for reliable internet in Nairobi. Companies must tackle infrastructure issues as more people depend on high-speed internet for work and daily activities. I trust they will find solutions soon to benefit all users.”
Starlink is actively addressing these network capacity challenges and aims to restore normal service. Customers are encouraged to monitor the company’s updates for more information.
Additionally, the congestion has affected Starlink’s roaming services throughout Africa. Reports indicate that several African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, have been removed from the list of supported roaming destinations. Users in these regions have reported slower download speeds, often reaching only low double-digit Mbps.
In Kenya, Starlink terminals have been in high demand and are no longer available in Lusaka, Zambia. In Zimbabwe, terminals were sold out in the capital, Harare, less than two months after the service was authorized to operate. According to updates on Starlink’s website, Harare joins five Nigerian cities—Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri—where the high-speed internet service has also sold out.
The swift sellout of Starlink terminals across multiple African nations underscores a burgeoning demand for dependable internet access. This trend is fueled by a significant reduction in kit prices, which has pressured local telecom providers to reassess and lower their pricing strategies and enhance their internet speeds.
