Amazon Officially Applies for Satellite Internet Licence in Kenya, Setting Up a Direct Showdown With Starlink
Jeff Bezos' Amazon Leo wants in on Kenya's satellite internet market, applying to CA for a licence to challenge Starlink...
✨ Key Highlights
Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited has officially applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for a Network Facilities Provider (NFP) Tier 2 licence, signalling a direct competition with Elon Musk's Starlink in Kenya's satellite internet market.
- The licence allows Amazon to build and operate countrywide communications infrastructure, including satellite systems, with a 15-year validity.
- Jeff Bezos' Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) service aims to offer speeds up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload, potentially undercutting Starlink on upload performance.
- Vodafone, a major shareholder in Safaricom, has partnered with Amazon Leo for cellular backhaul, suggesting a potential behind-the-scenes collaboration for expanding mobile coverage.
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Airtel Kenya Launches XStream Fibre for Home and Business Users - April 2026
Airtel Kenya has launched its new XStream Fibre service, offering both Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fibre-to-the-Business (FTTB) solutions, with prices starting at KES 1,999. At the same time, Safaricom has significantly upgraded its Home Fibre packages, increasing speeds across most tiers with Bronze now at 40Mbps and Gold hitting 150Mbps, along with substantial discounts. Meanwhile, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited has officially applied to the Communications Authority of Kenya for a Network Facilities Provider (NFP) Tier 2 licence, signalling a direct competition with Elon Musk's Starlink in Kenya's satellite internet market.
