STARLINK, Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet service, has emerged more cost-effective internet solution in Africa, than leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in some African countries. This now offers lower monthly subscription rates than leading fixed internet service providers in at least five of the 16 African countries where it operates.
Other than Kenya and Nigeria, this price advantage is notable across certain African states like Ghana, where Starlink’s service costs approximately half the price of local ISP offerings, though customers must still factor in initial hardware costs ranging from $178 for a Starlink Mini in Kenya to $381 for a Standard Actuated kit in Nigeria.
READ MORE: How Emergence of Starlink Sparked Improvement on Internet Speed in Kenya
The analysis, conducted by Rest of World on January 9, 2025, compared Starlink’s residential service prices with the cheapest unlimited fixed internet plans from leading providers in each country, based on local communications authority reports.
Although Starlink’s pricing is dynamic and contingent upon market conditions, its competitive rates have already begun
to disrupt the existing internet service provider industry in Africa, particularly in markets such as Kenya.