Safaricom is seeking approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to lay its own undersea fiber-optic cable, a move that will change the internet landscape in Kenya and beyond. This puts Safaricom head to head with Elon Musk’s Starlink which launched in Kenya in 2023.
A Safaricom executive told Business Daily, “We are investing more to bring in more capacity to support growing customer demand for high speed internet.” Details of the cable’s length, cost and consortium members are still not public but the company has already formed a consortium to drive the multi billion project.
How Subsea Cables Work and Why They Matter
Subsea cables are fiber-optic cables laid on the ocean floor to transmit internet data between continents and countries. They are the foundation of global internet infrastructure, high speed and low latency.
Unlike satellite internet which relies on signals from space, subsea cables offer stable and high capacity connections, perfect for data hungry services such as:
- Cloud computing
- Video streaming
- Online communication and gaming
For telcos like Safaricom, investing in undersea cable infrastructure means reliable, scalable and cost effective internet services.
Why Safaricom is Laying an Undersea Cable
Safaricom’s investment is in line with its strategy to:
- Increase internet penetration across Kenya, urban and rural.
- Reduce costs by reducing dependence on third party infrastructure.
- Improve service reliability and support growing demand for high speed internet.
- Strengthen its market leadership as the number one internet service provider in Kenya.
Competition with Starlink: Fiber vs Satellite Internet
Safaricom’s move puts it head to head with Starlink which uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high speed internet, in areas where fiber infrastructure is not available.
Safaricom vs Starlink:
| Feature | Safaricom (Subsea Cable) | Starlink (Satellite) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed & Latency | Faster, lower latency | Slower, higher latency |
| Reliability | More stable, less affected by weather | Affected by weather and obstructions |
| Coverage | Best in urban & semi-urban areas | Best for remote & underserved areas |
| Cost | Lower due to economies of scale | Higher due to expensive equipment & subscription fees |
| Scalability | Easily expandable through fiber network | Limited by satellite capacity |
While Starlink is good for remote areas, its high cost makes it not accessible to most Kenyan households and businesses. Safaricom is looking to scale up affordable internet solutions for the mass market.
Kenya’s Digital Future
The fiber vs satellite internet competition is a sign of Kenya’s growing digital economy. With more infrastructure investment, Kenyans can expect:
- Faster internet and better reliability
- More affordable options
- More technology adoption in business and education
As both Safaricom and Starlink roll out, consumers will be the ultimate winners.