Safaricom vs. Starlink: Kituo Cha Sheria Takes Safaricom to Court Over Starlink’s Market Entry
Kenya’s telecommunication landscape is witnessing a fierce battle as Safaricom faces a significant challenge from Elon Musk’s Starlink, with the legal backing of Kituo Cha Sheria.
The non-governmental organization has moved to court, supporting Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market, positioning itself as a defender of consumer rights in the face of the growing competition between the two entities.
Kituo Cha Sheria, known for advocating for public interest, filed a certificate of urgency in court, arguing that Starlink should be permitted to provide satellite internet services across Kenya.
The NGO dismissed Safaricom’s claims that Starlink’s market entry would threaten mobile network quality, labeling them as biased. In its petition, Kituo Cha Sheria stated, “Safaricom is Starlink’s competitor, and as such, it provided a biased judgment in its letter to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).”
The organization has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the court to direct both the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to conduct a comprehensive study on the regulation of satellite internet providers.
“That pending hearing and determination of this application and petition, a conservatory order and injunction be issued restraining CA and CAK from taking any actions that may be prejudicial to the consumers of SpaceX’s Starlink, including but not limited to frustrating any payments made to Starlink, its subsidiaries, licensees and distributors or any affiliated companies,” Kituo Cha Sheria emphasized in its submission.
The NGO argued that preventing Starlink from operating in Kenya would be a disservice to the public, particularly those in remote areas where high-speed internet access remains limited.
The entry of Starlink into the Kenyan market in July 2023 marked a significant shift, as the company offers high-speed broadband through satellite technology, bypassing the traditional optic fibre and copper cable infrastructure.
To counter Starlink’s growing influence, Safaricom has ramped up its efforts by increasing the speeds of its Wi-Fi packages.
Meanwhile, Starlink continues to review its pricing strategy to attract Kenyan consumers, promising broadband speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Additionally, the company has announced plans to enable mobile phone users to connect directly to satellite internet via advanced Evolved Node B technology.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s internet landscape, potentially reshaping the way consumers access high-speed internet across the country.
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Safaricom vs. Starlink: Kituo Cha Sheria Takes Safaricom to Court Over Starlink’s Market Entry
