Safaricom adds 83k broadband users in Q1, triples Starlink’s Kenya base
Safaricom gained 83,107 fixed internet subscribers in the quarter ended March, raising its total to 941,501 customers, according to Kenya’s Communications Authority. In the same period, Starlink’s subscriber base grew by just 2,717 to reach 24,999 users. Safaricom’s fixed‑internet market share rose to 35.4% from 34.9%, while rivals Jamii Telecommunications (Faiba) added 23,120 subscribers (total 517,270, share down to 19.5%) and smaller providers Vilcom Network and Ahadi Wireless added 26,569 and 23,363 users respectively. Poa! Internet, targeting low‑income areas, lost 6,788 subscribers, falling to 256,517. In April, Safaricom doubled speeds on several home fibre packages without raising prices, prompting rivals Zuku and Jamii to revise their broadband plans. The data shows fiber remains the preferred option where coverage exists, with incumbents using network reach, bundled services and speed upgrades to defend market share against satellite entrants. For Nigerians, this highlights that infrastructure investment and competitive pricing still outweigh satellite hype in markets with existing fiber—lessons relevant as Nigeria’s own telcos weigh satellite versus fiber expansion and consider speed‑upgrade strategies to retain customers.