Starlink in Kenya: How New Ground Stations Are Revolutionising Internet Access

The arrival of Starlink in Kenya has been a game-changer for internet users. While the promise of satellite internet is appealing, one factor has often lagged behind traditional fibre and mobile broadband: latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the internet and back. To tackle this, Starlink has introduced a new Point of Presence (POP) in Nairobi, Kenya, which has dramatically improved internet speeds and responsiveness for users in Africa.

Understanding Starlink POPs

A Starlink POP is a ground station that acts as a crucial link between Starlink satellites and terrestrial internet infrastructure. Instead of relaying data through multiple satellites, a POP allows for more direct communication between the satellite overhead and the ground-based internet, reducing latency.

• Reduced Latency: Previously, Starlink users in Africa, including Kenya, often experienced latency between 120 and 150 milliseconds. With the new Nairobi POP, users are now reporting latency figures as low as 30 milliseconds.
• Faster Speeds: By minimising the distance data needs to travel, Starlink POPs enhance connection speeds and overall user experience.
• Improved Responsiveness: Lower latency makes Starlink more suitable for activities that require quick responses, like online gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time applications.

Before the Nairobi POP, the only other such ground station in Africa was located in Nigeria. This meant that data had to travel longer distances through the satellite network, resulting in higher latency for Kenyan users. The Nairobi POP is a significant step towards improving Starlink’s service quality across the continent. Some users in Africa were previously connected to POPs in Europe, further increasing latency.

Starlink’s Global Expansion

While Starlink doesn’t disclose the exact number of POPs, it’s estimated there were 33 active POPs worldwide before the Nairobi addition, with a large concentration in North America. The company has been expanding its ground infrastructure globally to improve service as its customer base has grown. There are now 37 POPs worldwide with recent additions in Mexico, Calgary (Canada), Warsaw and Milan (Europe).

Starlink in Kenya

The introduction of the Nairobi POP is a crucial milestone for Starlink in Kenya. It not only improves the user experience, it also increases competition in the broadband market.

• Improved user experience With reduced latency, Starlink is more suitable for a wider range of applications
• Increased competition: The availability of Starlink is putting pressure on traditional internet service providers to offer better prices and service.
• Increased availability: With Starlink, users in remote or underserved areas can now access high-speed internet.

The establishment of the Nairobi POP has resulted in a significant drop in latency, with some users reporting speeds in the 30 milliseconds range. It’s worth noting that the high demand for Starlink in Kenya led to a temporary pause in new subscriptions in Nairobi, with the area still marked as “sold out” on the Starlink map. Some users in Kenya report that their internet is still routing through Frankfurt and Stockholm servers. There are reports that the Starlink ground stations in Kenya are located in Konza and Karen.

Ready to experience the difference with Starlink’s low-latency, high-speed internet?

• Get your Starlink kit today: Visit Starlink standard kit Gen 3 to purchase the Starlink Standard Kit (Gen 3) and get connected.
• Take advantage of our Starlink Installation Offer: Make the most of the reduced latency and faster speeds. Check out our current installation offer at Starlink Installation Offer for a hassle-free setup.

With the new Nairobi POP, Starlink is poised to be a major player in the Kenyan internet market. Don’t get left behind, order your Starlink today!