Starlink and 5G: Complimentary or competitive technology for Kenya?

The arrival of Starlink’s Satellite internet and the ongoing rolling of 5G networks raise a crucial question about the role in Kenya’s digital future of network connection. Both of these technologies hold an immense potential but their relationship on whether complimentary or competitive remain a big question. It depends on various factors such as geographic coverage, cost of infrastructure, use case, market segment, speed and latency, scalability and durability and so many other aspects.

Complimentary aspects include:

a. Geographic Covarage

• Starlink - Provides internet via satellite, making it ideal for remote and underserved areas without fiber or cellular infrastructure. It bridges the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet to rural areas, where 5G rollout is cost-prohibitive.

• 5G – It is best suited for urban and densely populated areas where fiber and cellular infrastructure already exist. It offers high-speed, low-latency internet for devices in areas with high demand.

b. Infrastructure Cost

• Starlink avoids the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure, making it faster to install in hard-to-reach areas.

• 5G requires significant investment in base stations, fiber backhaul, and spectrum allocation. Deployment is economically viable only in high-density areas.

c. Use cases

• Starlink is best for rural education, remote healthcare, and farming, where connectivity is currently limited or unavailable.

• 5G is designed for smart cities, IoT, and high-bandwidth applications like autonomous vehicles, Virtual Reality, and industrial automation.

d. Resilience/ durability

• Starlink is more durable. It offers resilience during natural disasters or network disruptions as it doesn’t rely on terrestrial infrastructure.

• 5G is complemented by existing networks (4G, fiber), making it reliable in established service areas.

Competitive aspects include:

a. Market Segments

Both technologies aim to provide high-speed internet, which may create competition for

• High-income households that is In urban areas, Starlink could compete directly with 5G for premium internet services.

• Businesses Enterprises may choose between 5G and Starlink based on cost, reliability, and latency.

b. Cost of consumers

• Starlink initial costs are high (hardware + subscription). Its affordability for most Kenyans is a challenge, limiting adoption primarily to institutions or affluent individuals.

• 5G is relatively affordable for consumers already using 4G, as telecoms typically subsidize device costs or offer bundle plans.

c. Speed and Latency

• Starlink speeds up to 250 Mbps with latency of 20-40ms. Suitable for general use but less competitive for latency-critical applications while-

• 5G speeds up to 1-10 Gbps with ultra-low latency (<10ms), making it superior for gaming, streaming, and real-time applications.

d. Scalability or Flexibility

• Starlink may face capacity limitations in areas with high demand due to satellite bandwidth constraints while

• 5G scales better in urban environments, where demand for high-speed connectivity is concentrated.

Its impacts on Kenya’s network technology are;

In complimentary use case

➢ Starlink can serve rural areas, schools and health centers where terrestrial infrastructure are sparse while

➢ 5G can be the backbone for the urban connectivity, enabling innovations like smart city projects and industrial automations.

In competitive Overlap

➢ In peri-urban areas both tech can compete for households and small business that need fast internet while

➢ The government could play a role in regulating spectrum and pricing to ensure fair competition.

In Policy and Investment

• Policies should encourage both technologies to co-exist;

➢ Subsidizing Starlink hardware for rural deployment.

➢ Facilitating 5G rollout through affordable spectrum licenses and public-private partnerships.

So this conclude that in Kenya, Starlink and 5G are more complementary than competitive. Starlink can close the rural connectivity gap or void, while 5G drives urban innovation and economic growth. Strategic deployment of both technologies can help achieve universal internet access and enhance the country’s digital transformation