Kenya’s largest telco Safaricom Plc became the first telecommunication provider in Kenya to roll out the 5G network on 27th October 2022. The telco announced 5G trials in March last year, and the company today began the roll-out by switching on the network in 5G-ready areas enabling customers to enjoy fast and reliable internet connectivity for their homes and businesses.
Currently, Safaricom has 35 active 5G network sites spread across Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega and Mombasa, and it plans to expand to 200 sites across the country by March 2023.
Customers in 5G-ready zones can access 5G Wi-Fi by purchasing a 5G router at KES 25,000 plus a setup fee of KES 5,000 and selecting from three packages on offer. Customers will also have the option of signing up for a 36-month contract that will enable them to receive the router for free.
The introductory 5G Wi-Fi plans include: 10Mbps with a usage limit of 300GB at KES 3,499; 40Mbps with a usage limit of 500GB at KES 5,999; and 100Mbps with a usage limit of 1TB at KES 14,999. Customers will be able to continue using the internet at throttled speeds upon depletion of the allocated usage limit.
5G Supported Smartphones
Customers using supported 5G smartphones will also be able to access the 5G network and enjoy superfast 5G speeds. Supported smartphones include 5G-enabled devices from the Samsung Galaxy S and Fold series, as well as Huawei and Oppo 5G devices. Customers using iPhones and select 5G-capable Samsung devices will require a software update from the manufacturer to access the 5G network.
“We believe in the transformative power of the internet and will continue to deliver the most advanced technologies towards enabling our customers enjoy a digital lifestyle. The launch of 5G Wi-Fi is the first step in empowering our retail and enterprise customers to start exploring new opportunities that 5G provides,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO Safaricom PLC.
