A new player is entering Kenya’s satellite internet space as American startup Spacecoin gains a licence to operate in the country.
The firm aims to provide high-speed connectivity to areas where fibre and mobile networks are either limited or commercially unviable, potentially offering a more affordable alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which currently dominates the market.
Spacecoin, owned by Space Telecommunications Inc. (STI), said it has received regulatory approval to launch its services in both Kenya and Nigeria.
The move aligns with Kenya’s national efforts to improve last-mile connectivity and reach communities in remote locations. Analysts suggest that Spacecoin’s entry could disrupt Starlink’s near-monopoly and make satellite internet more accessible and affordable for a wider audience.
Currently, Starlink serves over 98 percent of Kenya’s satellite internet subscribers, with 19,470 of the country’s 19,762 users relying on its service, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya.
Founded by Tae Oh, Spacecoin is built on open-source satellite technology and positions itself as a lower-cost option.
Unlike Starlink, the startup plans to distribute its services through local partners rather than directly to consumers.
Oh said, “These agreements confirm that Spacecoin has moved beyond being just an idea, but a real movement with momentum that will unlock permissionless connectivity through opensourced satellite technology, powered by people and built for people.” He added that regulatory approvals in Kenya and Nigeria show recognition that satellite connectivity can deliver “the scalability and affordability traditional infrastructure can’t.”
The startup has already launched four satellites, forming its first operational constellation, which will support services in Kenya and Nigeria.
Spacecoin also plans to expand to Cambodia and Indonesia, although Starlink is already operating in Indonesia and has temporarily paused new sign-ups due to capacity limits. Cambodia is still finalising regulatory approvals for satellite broadband.
Industry observers note that Spacecoin’s fleet is still small compared to Starlink’s thousands of satellites, raising questions about service capacity and scalability.
However, the company said it is working closely with local partners to manage ground operations, customer support, and engagement with authorities. “Spacecoin will provide the core technology and satellite infrastructure, and work with local partners to oversee ground operations, liaise with local authorities, or provide local user support,” the firm said.
Other satellite internet providers licensed in Kenya include Espace Inc, Globalstar Inc, Omnispace LLC, UK’s Network Access Associates Limited, South Africa’s Iridium Satellite, and local company Viasat Limited.
Before Starlink, satellite internet in Kenya was mainly limited to businesses and organisations in remote areas. Spacecoin’s arrival signals a new phase of competition, which could increase access to high-speed internet in underserved regions.
