Safaricom PLC has unequivocally denied recent social media claims that it has halted payments for Starlink Internet services through its M-Pesa platform. The rumors, which emerged on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that the telecom giant had withdrawn this payment option, causing confusion among users.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Safaricom addressed the allegations, stating, “These claims are unfounded. The payment option for Starlink via M-Pesa remains available. We encourage any customers facing difficulties to contact us directly for support.”
Starlink, the satellite internet service created by SpaceX and owned by Elon Musk, operates differently from Safaricom’s internet services. While Starlink relies on satellite technology, Safaricom’s infrastructure depends on undersea cables, some of which have been damaged in the past, leading to intermittent service disruptions.
This clarification comes amid a broader context of regulatory scrutiny. Safaricom has recently requested the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to reconsider its decision to issue a license to Starlink. Safaricom’s position is that satellite internet providers should be required to operate under local licenses to address potential operational risks.
The CA has responded by affirming that Safaricom, like any other service provider, has the right to raise regulatory concerns. “The Authority independently evaluates such issues within its mandate and responds accordingly,” the CA stated, emphasizing that this process is part of ensuring the ICT sector’s dynamic growth.
Support for Starlink has emerged from various quarters, including Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata. Kang’ata praised Starlink’s high-speed internet capabilities, contrasting them with Safaricom’s reportedly slower speeds. “Starlink’s new speeds can reach up to 100 Mbps, whereas Safaricom’s speeds often drop to as low as 4.7 Mbps,” Kang’ata remarked, highlighting the reliability of Starlink’s service, which is less affected by weather conditions.
