Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, has submitted an application to the Communications Authority of Kenya for the rights to land its own undersea Internet cable. If approved, this would mark a significant milestone, as it would be the first time a Kenyan telco runs its own submarine cable, giving Safaricom full control over its Internet infrastructure.
Currently, Safaricom relies on third-party providers such as SEACOM, TEAMS, EASSy, and Telkom Kenya for its international bandwidth. However, recent issues, like the May 2024 outages on SEACOM and EASSy, which disrupted Internet access across East Africa, highlighted the vulnerabilities in depending on external providers. Safaricom had to quickly seek additional bandwidth during these disruptions, a challenge that likely spurred the company to invest in building its own infrastructure.
By securing its submarine cable rights, Safaricom would gain greater independence over its Internet supply, improving connectivity and ensuring a more reliable service for its customers. This move also positions the company to stay ahead in Kenya’s highly competitive digital landscape.
The timing of this application is critical, especially with the rise of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite Internet service, which entered Kenya in mid-2023. Starlink has quickly gained popularity, especially in remote areas, offering high-speed and reliable Internet, challenging traditional providers like Safaricom, which still controls about 37% of Kenya’s fixed Internet market.
In response to this growing competition, Safaricom has called for regulatory measures to ensure that companies like Starlink partner with local network operators, indicating that the telco is preparing for an intense battle in the Internet services sector.
