Last year, Techspace Africa reported that Starlink, Elon Musks’ satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX was launching in Kenya in 2023. The service which aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to people in remote and underserved areas around the world is now expected to launch in June 2023 after government approval and we have the prices we expect Africans to pay for it.
According to the official Starlink website, the service is going to cost a monthly fee of NGN19,260 for 50-250Mbps and NGN274,098 for hardware. Converted to Kenyan Shillings, the monthly fee would be approximately Ksh5,188 and the hardware fee would be approximately Ksh73,775
When we did a video on the cost of the service and hardware, we noticed high concern for many potential customers. The cost of the satellite dish and modem needed to access the service is a significant investment, especially for those in remote areas who may not have access to other options for internet access. However, for those who live in areas without reliable internet access, the investment may be worth it for the improved connectivity.
Check out Techspace Africa: The podcast
The question remains, will people be willing to pay the high cost of the hardware to access the service? For those who need reliable internet access, the cost may be worth it. However, for others, the cost may be prohibitive. It will be interesting to see how the market responds to the launch of Starlink in June 2023. Let us know down in the comments, or on our socials.
