Kenya’s largest telecom company, Safaricom Plc, is in discussions with Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite providers to explore future partnerships, according to CEO Peter Ndegwa. He confirmed these talks during an interview in New York, emphasizing the need to integrate satellite technology into Safaricom’s offerings.
“We have had discussions with Starlink and will continue to explore partnerships that complement our services,” Ndegwa stated. While Starlink has gained popularity by launching satellites to provide global broadband, local telecom operators like Safaricom have raised concerns about how the service aligns with local regulations. Governments in countries like Taiwan and India share these concerns, while others, such as Indonesia, Argentina, and Ghana, have adjusted their rules to accommodate Starlink’s operations.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has been partnering with companies worldwide to provide internet in remote regions but avoids ownership or equity deals. It already has a license to operate in Kenya.
However, a Kenyan advocacy group, Kituo Cha Sheria, has taken Safaricom to court, accusing the telecom giant of trying to block Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market. Safaricom denies these claims, with Ndegwa clarifying that the company isn’t obstructing Starlink but is calling for fairness in regulatory practices. Safaricom’s letter to regulators in July proposed that foreign satellite providers be required to partner with local telecom operators to boost investment, job creation, and compliance with Kenyan laws.
Safaricom also raised concerns that allowing satellite services like Starlink to operate without such partnerships could pose security risks and regulatory oversight challenges, especially due to the cross-border nature of satellite operations.
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Kituo Cha Sheria’s lawsuit argues that any efforts to restrict Starlink’s entry would be anti-competitive and limit access to faster, more affordable internet. In response, Ndegwa said Safaricom’s success comes from its substantial annual investment of $300 million to $350 million in telecommunications infrastructure. He also expressed confidence in Safaricom’s ability to handle competition, stating, “We are not worried about competition; we’ll deal with it.”
