Airtel Kenya is making significant strides in bringing Kenyans the power of 5G. The telecom giant has expanded its 5G network, reaching an impressive 39 counties and 285 wards with over 690 operational sites, owing to an increase in 5G network users in the country. This represents a near doubling of their 5G footprint since its launch in July 2023.
"We're thrilled to be at the forefront of Kenya's digital transformation," said Ashish Malhotra, Managing Director of Airtel Kenya. "This expansion ensures more Kenyans can experience the ultra-fast speeds and reliability of 5G, unlocking new possibilities for businesses, education, and entertainment."
The telecommunications company also plans to deploy an additional 1000 sites before the year ends, elevating the total count of 5G sites to 1690. However, based on data from the Communication Authority, the count of 5G network subscribers in the nation surged to 509,737 during the three-month period ending in September 2023, marking a 13.3% rise, equivalent to an additional 59,943 users compared to June of the same year when there were 449,794 users.
The news comes amidst a growing demand for high-speed internet in Kenya. Airtel's expansion caters to this need, offering Kenyans a seamless and uninterrupted connection for activities like streaming, gaming, and remote work. To further support home users, Airtel launched new Unlimited Home Broadband 5G Data Plans alongside the network expansion.
However, recall that in July 2023, Airtel declared the initiation of its 5G service at more than 370 sites throughout Kenya, affirming that the 5G network would revolutionize various domains such as smart cities, education, healthcare, agritech, transportation systems, and entertainment, among others.
More so, in August same year, Airtel Kenya unveiled intentions to inject more than $150 million (KSh21.5 billion) into expanding its network coverage over a span of three years. Additionally, it disclosed plans to incorporate 100 new 5G sites into its network by November.
In recent years, Kenya has witnessed a notable surge in the uptake of 5G technology. Safaricom took the lead by inaugurating the nation's inaugural 5G service in October 2022, following a year of rigorous testing, and subsequently extended its 5G network to encompass 35 counties by November 2023. This expansion marked a significant stride in bringing advanced connectivity to diverse regions across the country.
Furthermore, Equitel, a mobile virtual network operator, joined forces with Airtel in February 2024 to introduce 5G services, making it the first mobile virtual network operator in Africa to do so. This collaboration underscores the collaborative efforts within the telecommunications sector to propel Kenya's technological advancement forward. Concurrently, as of early 2024, the country boasted 22.71 million Internet users, achieving a penetration rate of 40.8%.
These statistics, coupled with projections from Globalmonitor, signal a promising trajectory for Kenya's telecom market, fueled by factors such as population growth, enhanced communication infrastructure, and heightened smartphone adoption, all pointing towards continued growth in the telecommunications landscape by 2025.
Now, Airtel's commitment goes beyond just numbers. They've deployed over 690 operational 5G sites, with a further 1,000 planned by year-end. This ambitious rollout prioritizes not only urban areas but also extends coverage to previously underserved regions, particularly in the North Eastern part of the country. This move by Airtel positions them as a leader in Kenya's 5G race. With their continued investment and focus on nationwide connectivity, they're ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.