Safaricom Boosts Fibre Internet Speed to Outpace Starlink

Safaricom has upgraded its fibre internet packages, wildly increasing speeds to counter competition.

This initiative comes in light of the increasing competition from Starlink, the satellite internet service that has rapidly gained traction since its entry into the Kenyan market last year.

Effective immediately, Safaricom has increased the speed of its existing fibre plans. The 10 Mbps package now offers speeds of 15 Mbps for KES 3,000 (approximately $23), while the 20 Mbps plan has been elevated to 30 Mbps. 

Customers on the 40 Mbps tier will now enjoy doubled speeds of 80 Mbps, and the 100 Mbps package has seen a dramatic increase to 500 Mbps, available for KES 12,500 ($97). Notably, Safaricom has also launched a gigabit internet service, providing speeds of 1 Gbps for KES 20,000 ($155), marking a significant milestone for internet service provision in the region.

Additionally, the company has introduced a family share plan, allowing customers to bundle mobile voice, SMS, data, and home internet services for up to five family members. This plan offers discounts of up to 20% compared to purchasing services separately, built for the growing demand for comprehensive connectivity solutions.

CEO Peter Ndegwa noted the company’s focus on enhancing customer experience: “We have enhanced our Home Internet speeds to meet the increasing demand and usage, providing reliable connectivity and enhanced value for our customers.” Safaricom is also set to engage in community initiatives, including estate clinics aimed at boosting service availability in congested areas, and will explore 4G and 5G options for regions lacking fibre infrastructure.

For businesses, Safaricom has tailored dedicated internet plans, starting with a shared 15 Mbps option for smaller enterprises, scaling up to a 100 Mbps shared plan for more established businesses.

These enhancements reveal a direct response to Starlink’s market presence, which has reportedly signed up over 4,000 customers since its launch in June 2023. Starlink offers competitive speeds of up to 200 Mbps at KES 6,500 ($50) and has introduced flexible payment options, including a rental scheme for its equipment.

Safaricom recently sought regulatory intervention from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to restrict the operations of foreign satellite internet providers, including Starlink. The CA has acknowledged Safaricom’s objections, which may impact the dynamics of the broadband market in Kenya as competition intensifies.