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Global technology company Amazon has applied for regulatory approval to set up a satellite earth station in Kenya, signaling its entry into the country’s fast-growing satellite broadband sector.
According to a notice published in the Kenya Gazette, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited has submitted an application to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) seeking an International Gateway Operator licence.
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The licence would allow the company to install and operate satellite earth stations and cross-border telecommunications infrastructure to transmit data between Kenya and other countries.
The move is part of Amazon’s broader global rollout of its satellite internet project, Project Kuiper, which aims to provide high-speed connectivity through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites.
If approved, Amazon would become a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service, which already operates in Kenya and offers satellite-based internet access to both urban and remote users. Starlink has gained popularity for providing reliable broadband in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.
Currently, Starlink subscription packages in Kenya start at approximately Sh6,500 per month, positioning it as an alternative to conventional internet service providers. However, it still holds a relatively small share of the market, estimated at about one percent of Kenya’s internet service provider space.
In contrast, Safaricom remains the dominant player, controlling an estimated 36 percent of the market. Despite this, Starlink’s user base continues to grow, with more than 22,000 subscribers reported in the country.
Industry analysts expect increased competition in the satellite internet segment as Amazon’s entry could drive expansion of coverage, reduce equipment costs, and potentially lower subscription prices over time.
The introduction of Amazon’s service is also expected to improve internet access in underserved rural and remote areas, where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited or unavailable.
