In an unexpected announcement, Starlink has temporarily suspended new subscriptions in Nairobi and five surrounding counties due to an overloaded network. The affected regions include Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Narok, Murang’a, and Nakuru, where heightened demand has strained Starlink’s capacity.
Starlink attributed the suspension to a bandwidth shortage, as its network currently cannot accommodate additional customers in these densely populated areas. The surge in popularity since the satellite internet service’s launch in Kenya in July 2023 has outpaced its current infrastructure.
“Nairobi and neighboring 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 now,” the company stated, adding that they are working to resolve the issue and will notify users when capacity is restored.
Operating with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites positioned approximately 1,000 km from Earth, Starlink’s infrastructure enables high-speed internet, with data rates reaching up to 300Gbps. The satellite service initially gained traction in Kenya thanks to affordable plans, including an introductory $15.15 monthly rental option for equipment, making it accessible to a broader audience.
However, the rapid uptake of Starlink in Kenya has sparked tensions with local internet service providers (ISPs), particularly Safaricom. The ISP urged the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to scrutinize satellite providers operating without local partnerships, arguing that these services should not bypass agreements with domestic companies. Safaricom has also advocated for policies that would restrict foreign satellite providers without local affiliations, which could impact Starlink’s future in the market.
As Starlink works to expand its capacity, it remains to be seen how the company will manage its infrastructure to meet growing demand in Kenya’s urban areas.
