Safaricom PLC has announced plans to launch satellite internet services amid rising competition from Starlink.

The American billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet set base in Kenya a year ago and has been providing competition to Safaricom and other local internet service providers (ISPs).

When did Safaricom start venturing into satellite internet?

However, for Safaricom, the plans to venture into satellite internet started three years ago.

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ndegwa revealed that the leading telco partnered with ESD Kenya to test how satellite internet works.

Ndegwa noted that satellite internet allows for competition as a complementary technology and forms part of their expansion plan to offer quality services.

“We need to respond to it; we will partner with, at some point, a satellite provider, whether that is Starlink or others. To remain sharp as a company, you always have to accept competition.

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“Three years ago, Safaricom partnered with ESD, a satellite company, to test how it would work in this country,” said Ndegwa while speaking on local television.

Why Safaricom wants to launch satellite internet

Ndegwa added that discussions about satellite internet should focus on its role in delivering services to subscribers.

The CEO explained that satellites should complement the investments required in the infrastructure.

“We should focus more on the role satellites play in internet service. Starlink is one of the initial frontrunners in satellite internet.

“Satellite should complement the investment put into the rest of the internet infrastructure, especially in rural, remote areas with many gaps,” he said.

More to follow…

Source: TUKO.co.ke