Safaricom has announced the increase of its 5G network coverage to select towns across 35 counties as it continues with its quest “to empower its customers in 5G areas to enjoy superfast internet on the move, and for their homes and businesses”.
Bomet, Busia, Isiolo, Kitui, Mandera, Migori, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Embu, Kirinyaga, Muranga and Turkana counties join others in the country that have had access to the company’s 5G network for a while now.
As of 6 months ago, the network’s coverage had expanded to 21 counties.
“As part of the move to spur 5G uptake, the service provider has also slashed the price of 5G Wi-Fi routers, with cash customers set to enjoy a 60% price reduction on the router, which now retails at Kshs 9,999, down from Kshs 25,000,” the company says.
Those who do not have the money upfront can also opt for an 18-month contract that sees them get the equipment for free and pay for it in instalments. Previously, that contract stretched up to 36 months.
Volumes for 5G Wi-Fi for Home consumer packages have also been increased. For Kshs 3,500, buyers will get 400 gigabytes of data. Kshs 6,000 gets them double that and a Kshs 10,000 top-up gets one 1.5 terabytes to use within a month.
This is an improvement from the offering last year when Safaricom debuted its 5G network after a 2-year trial period.
“The introductory 5G Wi-Fi plans include 10Mbps with a usage limit of 300GB at Kshs 3,499; 40Mbps with a usage limit of 500GB at Kshs 5,999; and 100Mbps with a usage limit of 1TB at Kshs 14,999,” the company said at the time.
Businesses have different packages that are bandwidth-based and not volume-based (i.e. unlimited) starting at Kshs 4,000 for 10Mbps.
Half a year ago, the company also slashed prices of its 4G Wi-Fi routers by as much as 40%.
Last year, Safaricom became the first mobile network operator to launch its 5G network in the country with the public rollout of its 5G Wi-Fi. At the time, 5G network access through the routers on offer was a costly affair with the cheapest option setting one back at least Kshs 30,000 (Kshs 25,000 for the router and an additional Kshs 5,000 for “setting up”).
The company says it has over half a million users of 5G smartphones on its network and continues to woo more by offering 5G experience centres in multiple areas in Nairobi to showcase what users can do on its super-fast 5G network. It is also incentivising subscribers by offering them a free 5G bundle upon activation.
