In
just under two months since the National Communications Authority (NCA)
certified Starlink to operate in Ghana, the satellite internet service has
already peaked at capacity in the Greater Accra area. This development points
to both the overwhelming demand for reliable, high-speed internet in urban
centers and the growing dissatisfaction with current broadband services. The
story of Starlink’s rapid adoption in Ghana is more than just about a new
player in the market; it’s a deeper reflection of the state of internet
connectivity in African cities.
Starlink,
a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, initially entered the market
as a solution for rural areas with limited or no access to traditional internet
infrastructure. However, the service’s success in Ghana has revealed a
different narrative: urban demand for a dependable internet service that fiber
broadband providers have failed to consistently deliver. Despite the fact that
Starlink was primarily designed for rural areas, it is now facing a situation
where it is competing with fiber broadband in Ghana’s cities, thanks to the
latter’s inability to provide reliable service.
Felix
Nkansah, the Chief Executive Officer of Apotica, points to two important
implications of this high demand for Starlink on his Linkedin social media
platform. First, he highlights that African consumers, especially those in
urban areas, want access to reliable, high-speed internet. The keyword here is
“reliable.” Internet service must not only be fast but also consistently
available, without frequent disruptions. The demand for this service is so high
that, in some countries like Nigeria, Starlink quickly became the third-largest
Internet Service Provider (ISP) within just 12 months of launch.
The
second, and perhaps more critical, observation is the state of fiber broadband
service providers in Africa. Mr. Nkansah asks a crucial question: how is it
that a satellite internet product, initially designed for rural areas, is now
competing with fiber broadband services in urban settings? The answer is
simple: the service provided by fiber broadband companies in these urban
centers is often so poor that satellite technology, despite its own
limitations, is becoming an attractive alternative. This is a sign of how far
African internet services still have to go before they can be considered
reliable, fast, and capable of meeting the demands of a growing digital
economy.
While
Nkansah is not an ISP expert, his observations reflect a frustration shared by
many African consumers. All they want is reliable internet service at a
competitive price, and they are willing to pay for it. The demand for services
like Starlink, despite their premium pricing, is a testament to how desperate
consumers are for better service. Internet access is no longer a luxury—it is a
basic necessity for work, education, business, and even healthcare.
In
this scenario, Starlink is thriving because it is filling the gap left by
traditional ISPs, which have failed to provide consistent and dependable
service. The issue here is not necessarily about the superiority of satellite
technology over fiber. It’s about the failure of local providers to meet the
needs of their customers. Until this gap is addressed, services like Starlink
will continue to be in high demand, not just in Ghana, but across many parts of
Africa.
The
situation also highlights the challenges of providing reliable internet in
Africa. The complexity of setting up infrastructure, maintaining consistent
service, and managing costs can create significant barriers for ISPs. However,
these challenges must be overcome, as reliable internet is critical for
economic development, innovation, and access to services in the modern world.
Ultimately,
the surge in demand for Starlink in Accra is a wake-up call for ISPs across the
continent. African consumers are willing to embrace new technologies, but they
also expect the services they pay for to be reliable and consistently
available. For ISPs to remain competitive, they must step up their game and
deliver on these expectations. If they don’t, satellite technology may become
the go-to solution for urban areas, a scenario that no one could have predicted
when it was first launched.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
