When SpaceX launched Starlink in 2019, the pitch was simple but bold: fast internet anywhere, even in places fibre could never reach. Back then, it sounded like science fiction, yet today it’s a reality for tens of millions.
Now, Elon Musk says Starlink has over 7 million subscribers across 150 markets, making it one of the fastest-growing internet providers in the world. What’s striking is how quickly the growth has accelerated. Starlink added a million new subscribers in just two months, moving from 6 million in June 2025 to 7 million by August. That pace works out to roughly 12,200 new users every single day.
Why are people choosing Starlink?
For many developing regions, Starlink is positioning itself as a dependable option where fibre and fixed wireless networks fall short. With speeds averaging between 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps, depending on location, it has become a lifeline where fibre and fixed-wireless options remain limited.
While the service costs more compared to domestic alternatives, consumers appear to be willing to pay for reliability. In countries like Nigeria, Liberia, and Lesotho, being able to stream, work remotely, or stay in contact with relatives without incessant buffering could be worth the cost.
Starlink also depended on collaborations to deploy more quickly. It collaborated with Airtel Africa earlier this year to enhance rural coverage, while governments like Niger have signed agreements to bring the service to more people in their country.
Growth through lower costs and more capacity
Starlink’s success is not necessarily about getting to market first. The company has been strategic in reducing costs to drive adoption. Recent discounts in the U.S. and Canada cut the price of its standard dish and lowered subscription fees for the first year.
At the same time, SpaceX is boosting Starlink’s technical capacity. A recent request to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve the use of E-band spectrum could expand bandwidth and allow Starlink to serve millions more users without congestion.
With its rapid rise, Starlink is beginning to look like a real competitor to established internet service providers. In 2024, the U.S. led with 1.2 million users, followed by Canada at 200,000 and the U.K. at 100,000. Even smaller markets like Chile, Brazil, and Mexico are steadily climbing.
These numbers put it in direct competition with giants like Safaricom, OneWeb, and Spectranet. In regions like Nigeria and Kenya, where local players are investing in their own satellite and fibre upgrades, the pressure is already mounting.
What the future could look like
Barring a slowdown in growth, experts project that Starlink will double in subscribers by the end of the decade and hit an astonishing 14 million users by 2030.
Longer-term forecasts see as many as 32 million subscribers by 2040. The big question now is whether traditional providers will adapt fast enough or whether Starlink’s head start will carry it into the dominant position globally. Either way, the satellite race is officially on.
Starlink vs. Local ISPs: How Satellite Internet Is Changing Africa’s Connectivity Race
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Updated
September 16, 2025
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