Safaricom Dismisses Claims It Has Blocked Starlink Internet Payment Via M-Pesa

• Safaricom wrote to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) asking it to regulate Starlink satellite internet
• The heated competition from the Elon Musk-owned company led to claims that Safaricom had blocked M-Pesa payment options for the service
• Safaricom responded to the claims, saying they were not factual and the payment option is still there

Safaricom has assured Kenyans that they do not have to worry about M-Pesa payments to its rival internet service providers.

The leading telecommunications firm in Kenya dismissed online claims that it had cancelled payments for Starlink internet.

The satellite internet offered by American billionaire Elon Musk has provided competition for local internet service providers (ISPs), including Safaricom, since it set base in Kenya in July 2023.

What Safaricom said about M-Pesa payments for Starlink

The telco said the claims doing rounds on social media are not factual, and the payment option is still there.

"This is not factual, the option is still there. Please reach out to us in case of any challenges faced," said Safaricom.

The competition between Starlink and local ISPs increased following the recent SpaceX subsidiary firm's discounted offers in Kenya.

Starlink significantly reduced its installation fee from around KSh 89,000 in 2023 to about KSh 30,000 in August 2024.

The company announced an option for Kenyans to rent its hardware kit for KSh 1,950 per month and pay a one-time activation fee of KSh 2,700.

Safaricom calls for Starlink regulations

Earlier, Safaricom urged the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to regulate Starlink and other satellite internet providers.

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, tech expert Moses Kemibaro explained that the Kenyan leading telco sought a level playing field in its request to CA.

"From Safaricom’s perspective, the sentiments and the letter they shared were around Starlink being regulated in the same manner other ISPs are in the country. They feel it is not a level playing field from this perspective," said Kemibaro.

How Safaricom is beating Starlink competition

Safaricom increased its 5G connectivity, building over 1,000 sites across all 47 counties.

The company said the sites guarantee worry-free high-speed internet across 102 towns nationwide.

Safaricom chief executive Peter Ndegwa revealed that the 5G sites offer high-speed internet to individuals, businesses, and homes.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke