The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is working with the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to establish regulations for satellite internet providers, including Starlink.

Starlink, which entered the Kenyan market in July 2023, has disrupted the local internet landscape by offering services at a competitive price of Sh1,300 per month, significantly lower than the U.S. average of $120.

President William Ruto has endorsed Starlink's entry, seeing it as a way to reduce internet costs and enhance digital inclusion, despite pushback from local telecom companies like Airtel Kenya and Jamii Telecom.

Starlink has partnered with local firms to broaden its reach but faces stiff competition from established players like Safaricom and Vodafone, the latter of which is collaborating with Amazon's Kuiper.

Concerns have been raised by Safaricom regarding potential interference with local networks, urging satellite providers to form partnerships with local telecom operators.

In response to these concerns, Safaricom warned the CA about risks associated with illegal connections and security challenges posed by unregulated satellite services.

The CA has acknowledged these issues and is reviewing the need for satellite providers to collaborate with local telecom companies to ensure regulatory compliance.

The CA is still developing a regulatory framework to ensure fair competition in Kenya's telecom sector, recognizing that Starlink's operations present a global regulatory challenge.

The CA has emphasized the necessity for guidelines on spectrum allocation, data privacy, and space debris management as it navigates the complexities of satellite technology.

Despite regulatory hurdles in various African countries, Kenya remains one of the few nations allowing Starlink's operations, alongside Nigeria and Rwanda.

Starlink's expansion has faced obstacles in other markets, such as South Africa, where local equity requirements blocked its entry, and in Cameroon, where actions were taken against its equipment due to licensing issues.

The CA is actively participating in global discussions to align its regulatory responses with ITU's standards, indicating that immediate local rule changes may not be forthcoming.