Starlink has temporarily suspended new subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding areas due to a network overload, as high demand has strained the company’s capacity. This decision comes after users in Nairobi’s metropolitan area reported issues with Starlink's residential, business, and ROAM services.
In a statement, Starlink, founded by tech mogul Elon Musk, acknowledged that bandwidth limitations prevent it from adding new customers in the region. "Nairobi and neighboring areas are currently at network capacity. Too many users are trying to access Starlink service within Nairobi, and there isn't enough bandwidth to support additional residential or roaming customers at this time," the statement read.
Starlink advised customers to check availability on its website, which currently shows the Nairobi metropolitan area as “sold out.” The company also noted that no roaming plans are currently available in Kenya, but it aims to restore service capacity soon and will notify customers when subscriptions reopen.
The bandwidth shortage impacts multiple areas, including Thika, Kajiado, Kiambu, parts of Murang’a, Naivasha, Ngong, Machakos, and sections of Narok, affecting a total of seven counties. Presently, only premium packages exceeding Ksh130,000 per month are available, with more affordable options out of stock.
Starlink, which entered the Kenyan market in July 2023, has seen rapid uptake despite early market backlash. Known for its ability to provide internet in remote areas, including North Eastern Kenya, the service gained over 8,000 customers by mid-2024, accounting for a 0.5% market share, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya.
As of August 2024, Starlink offered a Ksh6,500-per-month package for unlimited residential service and a roaming package at Ksh14,000, which includes inland portability and the ability to pause service. Due to the high cost of equipment, Starlink introduced a rental option for Ksh1,950 per month, or customers can purchase the kit for Ksh45,500.
Despite the current limitations, Starlink’s popularity in Kenya reflects a strong demand for reliable internet, especially in underserved regions. The company plans to enhance network infrastructure to meet growing user needs across the country.