American technology giant Amazon has applied for regulatory approval to establish a satellite earth station in Kenya, a move that could intensify competition in the country’s fast-growing satellite internet sector.
According to a notice published in the Kenya Gazette, Amazon’s local subsidiary, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited, has applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for an International Gateway Operator licence.
If approved, the licence would allow the company to establish satellite earth stations and terrestrial cross-border networks capable of transmitting and receiving telecommunications traffic between Kenya and other countries.
The application is part of Amazon’s broader rollout strategy for its satellite internet project, Project Kuiper, which aims to provide global broadband connectivity through a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. The move positions Amazon as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service, which is already operational in Kenya.
Starlink currently provides high-speed, low-latency internet services, with packages starting at about Sh6,500 per month. The service has gained traction among households, businesses, and users in remote areas seeking alternative broadband connectivity.
Despite its rapid uptake, Starlink still holds a relatively small share of Kenya’s internet service provider market, accounting for about 1 percent compared to market leader Safaricom, which controls roughly 36 percent of the sector.
However, Starlink’s subscriber base continues to grow, having surpassed 22,000 users as demand for satellite-based internet services expands across the country.
Industry analysts say the entry of Amazon’s Kuiper project is likely to intensify competition in the satellite broadband space, with providers expected to focus on expanding coverage, reducing equipment costs, and offering more affordable subscription plans.
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