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{
    "id": 1513083,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1513083/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 134,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dagoretti North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Beatrice Elachi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation regarding the regulation of Starlink Satellite Internet Services in Kenya. Hon. Temporary Speaker, Satellite Internet, which is powered by satellites in space, plays an important role in global connectivity by transmitting signals through a satellite dish installed in a user’s premises. In June 2023, Starlink, a subsidiary of Space X, launched its services in Kenya as a Satellite Internet Provider (SIP), offering competitively priced internet packages and speed. The Starlink project, which aims to provide global satellite internet coverage, enables unrestricted access to internet that overpass territorial regulatory frameworks. It may potentially pose a threat to personal and national security. The unlimited access to the broadband services could also jeopardise the protection of data for the users. The lack of clear policy and regulatory guidelines from the Communications Authority regarding the requirements and licensing for satellite internet providers has caused anxiety in the country. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on the following— 1. A report on the regulatory regime under which Starlink is offering satellite internet services in the country, including the licences issued by the Government, if any. 2. The safeguards put in place to ensure that the Starlink does not breach privacy and data protection rights of subscribers as provided for in Article 31 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Data Protection Act. (Cap. 411C); 3. The measures put in place to integrate Starlink satellite internet services with local service providers, notably, Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom, and to protect local internet providers from unfair competition likely to arise from Starlink's predatory pricing model and global competitive advantage. 4. The modalities for Starlink to remit applicable taxes to the Government. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}