Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications provider, has announced a significant expansion of its 5G network, bringing ultra-speed internet services for 35 new counties across the country.
This expansion marks a significant stride towards closing the digital divide in underserved communities and spurring economic growth through enhanced connectivity.
The newly connected counties include Bomet, Busia, Isiolo, Kitui, Mandera, Migori, and Tharaka-Nithi. Joining them are Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Embu, Kirinyaga, Muranga, and Turkana, among others.
These areas are now equipped with the advanced 5G network, which offers remarkable speed and reliability.
Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, expressed enthusiasm for the future of 5G, emphasizing its potential to transform the digital landscape.
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"As a digital lifestyle enabler, we are excited about a 5G future, which makes it possible to close the digital divide in underserved communities, provide access to critical services such as healthcare or spur economic growth by connecting small businesses to new opportunities," Ndegwa said.
Ndegwa further highlighted the significance of extending 5G coverage, stating, "By increasing 5G coverage, we are enhancing Kenya's best internet network and empowering our customers to start exploring the possibilities of 5G."
In a bid to make 5G technology more accessible to customers, Safaricom has reduced the prices of 5G routers by a remarkable 60 per cent.
Clients can now acquire these essential gadgets for just Sh9,999, down from the previous price of Sh25,000. This significant reduction aims to make 5G technology affordable and readily available to a broader audience.
Safaricom made history in October 2022 by becoming the first service provider in Kenya to launch 5G services.
The expansion of 5G coverage to new counties reflects the company's commitment to advancing the nation's digital infrastructure and ensuring that the benefits of high-speed internet reach every corner of the country.
To provide Kenyans with firsthand experience of the transformative power of 5G technology in homes and businesses, Safaricom, in partnership with Huawei, has established three 5G experience centres in Nairobi.
These centers, situated in Safaricom’s Village Market, The Hub, and Buruburu Shops, offer visitors opportunities to engage in virtual reality gaming, explore smart home and enterprise capabilities, and experience speed-testing booths, providing an immersive understanding of the potential applications and benefits of 5G technology.
With the continued expansion of 5G coverage and the accessibility of 5G routers at more affordable prices, Safaricom is poised to drive the digital revolution in Kenya and empower its customers to harness the full potential of this cutting-edge technology.