Park visitors, neighbouring communities to enjoy free Wi-Fi
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KWS Director General Erastus Kanga (pictured) said local communities residing near the parks will also benefit from the free Internet services.
“KWS is committed to leveraging Starlink technology to enhance operational efficiency. Plans are underway to expand its use in supporting tools like the Earth Ranger software and establishing Wi-Fi hotspots at designated locations within national parks and reserves,” said Dr Kanga.
The Wi-Fi is expected to enable KWS area managers to monitor wildlife and their natural habitats in real-time.
Earth Ranger collects, integrates and displays all historical and available data and combines it with reports from the field to provide one unified view of collared wildlife, rangers, enforcement assets, and infrastructure within a protected area.
The solution is very effective at monitoring and studying wildlife movement across ecosystems, ranging from very specific areas to continent-wide migrations.
Kanga was speaking during a strategic meeting with Starlink division personnel, led by David Goldman, Vice President of Satellite Policy.
“Since KWS adopted Starlink, the park entry process time has significantly reduced—from 15 minutes to just two minutes—especially with the eCitizen platform.
He pointed that, currently, KWS operates 71 active satellite points across the country, providing free Wi-Fi to the communities neighbouring protected areas.
“This initiative not only improves connectivity but also strengthens the relationship between KWS and local communities,” he said.