Safaricom to launch 5G network this year
Safaricom will this year launch Kenya’s first fifth-generation (5G) mobile internet services targeting major urban centres, making it the inaugural operator to offer commercial and superfast services in the region.
Acting CEO Michael Joseph said the firm had completed testing and trials for the upgraded network as the company seeks to capitalise on burgeoning mobile Internet use in the country.
Safaricom - Kenya’s largest telecoms company - saw web data revenue grow fourfold over the five years to Sh38 billion, surpassing sales growth from voice business.
The 5G service is a central part of its attempts to further expand its data business to counter slower growth in voice calls revenue.
However, Safaricom subscribers who want to use the service will need to acquire new handsets that are compatible with 5G before they can enjoy the superfast Internet, which offers much faster data download and upload speeds that ultimately ease network congestion.
