Nairobi, Jan. 14 -- An American startup, Spacecoin, has received a licence to roll out satellite internet in Kenya, setting up a challenge to Starlink, which currently dominates the country's satellite connectivity market.

The company, through its parent firm, Space Telecommunications Inc. (STI), announced that it is rolling out satellite internet connectivity in underserved regions of Kenya and Nigeria, following securing of regulatory nod in both countries.

The licences come as Kenya's regulator pushes to expand last-mile connectivity and diversify broadband technologies to reach remote and underconnected areas, through the state-led last-mile internet connectivity project and private initiatives.

Spacecoin's entry is expected to cha...