Airtel 5G Currently Official in Kenya, starts at 3,500 Kenyan Shillings

Discover Airtel Kenya’s groundbreaking 5G network, revolutionizing real-time connectivity across various sectors. Embrace the future of technology with ultra-fast speeds and nationwide coverage. Join the 5G revolution today

Airtel Kenya has made an official entry into the 5G era, becoming the second telecom operator in the country to introduce this cutting-edge technology. Following a period of thorough testing and learning from Safaricom’s launch of 5G services in October 2022, Airtel Kenya took the plunge, expanding its network to meet the escalating demand for data services.

The 5G network is now accessible through over 370 active sites spread across 16 Kenyan counties and 180 wards nationwide, indicating a considerable commitment to nationwide coverage.

At the launch event, Airtel Kenya’s Managing Director, Ashish Malhotra, emphasized the transformative potential of 5G across numerous sectors, such as smart cities, education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and entertainment. The company is eager to revolutionize online gaming, live streaming, and content transfers by offering ultra-fast real-time connectivity.

To cater to consumer needs, Airtel plans to offer 5G-supported routers at an affordable price of 10,000 Kenyan Shillings ($71). On the other hand, businesses will receive these routers for free, setting a competitive edge against Safaricom, which charges 25,000 Kenyan Shillings ($177) for a similar device. Additionally, Airtel will provide 5G home broadband connections, with pricing starting at 3,500 Kenyan Shillings ($25) for a speed of 10 Mbit/s. Higher speeds will be available at varying price points, with 30 Mbit/s at 5,500 Kenyan Shillings ($39) and 50 Mbit/s at 7,500 Kenyan Shillings ($53).

Airtel Kenya currently holds about 27% of the market share, boasting nearly 17.7 million mobile users, securing its position as the second-largest telecom operator in the country. Safaricom, the market leader, dominates with approximately 67% of the mobile market, serving around 43.6 million mobile users. Telkom Kenya ranks third with 3.6 million mobile customers, while Jamii Telecommunications holds a minimal share with just 360,600 subscribers.

This move by Airtel Kenya aligns with the growing trend of 5G adoption across the African continent. Various other countries, such as Nigeria (5G Technology in Nigeria), The Gambia, and Mozambique, have already initiated their 5G services, and according to GSMA, over 10 African nations have operational commercial 5G services, with more expected to join the bandwagon by 2025.

According to Ericsson’s projections, sub-Saharan Africa had 3 million 5G subscriptions by the end of 2022, and this number is expected to skyrocket to 140 million by 2028, making up 13% of total connections in the region. With the launch of 5G by Airtel Kenya, the country embraces the immense potential of this transformative technology, propelling itself further into the future.