A Kenyan NGO has filed a lawsuit in support of SpaceX’s Starlink, challenging Safaricom’s stance against satellite internet providers operating in the country. This legal battle underscores the tension between traditional telecom operators and emerging satellite internet services, with Safaricom arguing that allowing entities like Starlink to operate without a local presence could hinder regulatory oversight.

Safaricom, the dominant player in Kenya’s telecommunications market, has expressed concerns that Starlink’s model—using third-party resellers instead of establishing a direct local presence—would limit the government’s ability to regulate and hold satellite ISPs accountable for non-compliance. Safaricom itself has plans to explore satellite internet but remains focused on safeguarding its current 36.7% market share in the Kenyan data space.

However, Starlink’s rising popularity has posed a growing challenge for existing ISPs. Since its Kenyan launch in 2023, Starlink has rapidly gained users through attractive hardware discounts and cheaper data plans, making satellite-based internet more accessible to rural communities where traditional ISPs like Safaricom have struggled to penetrate. This competition has sparked legal and regulatory debates in Kenya about how to balance innovation with regulation.

This lawsuit filed by the NGO is part of a broader discourse on expanding internet access in underserved areas. Advocates for satellite ISPs like Starlink argue that these services are crucial for improving connectivity in rural Kenya, which remains underserved by traditional fiber and mobile networks.

In the end, this legal challenge could shape the future of internet provision in Kenya, determining whether satellite ISPs can operate freely or will be required to adhere to stricter local regulatory frameworks.