Kenyan telecoms company Safaricom has announced that it has increased the coverage of its 5G network to select towns across 35 counties. New counties where 5G is now present include Bomet, Busia, Isiolo, Kitui, Mandera, Migori, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Embu, Kirinyaga, Muranga and Turkana, adding to Safaricom’s existing 5G footprint of Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Garissa, Kajiado, Kisii, Machakos, Kakamega, Kilifi, Siaya, Kericho, Kwale, Laikipia, Marsabit, Meru, Narok, Nyeri and Vihiga. The firm claims to have ‘over 500,000 customers using 5G smartphones’.
As part of the move to further drive 5G uptake, Safaricom has also cut the price of 5G Wi-Fi routers, with those paying for the device upfront set to benefit from a 60% price reduction from KES25,000 (USD164.9) to KES9,999. Nearly half a million eligible customers will also have the option of signing up for an 18 month contract that will enable them to receive the router for free. The operator has also increased 5G Wi-Fi volumes for ‘Home Consumer’ packages.
Source: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/11/01/safaricom-expands-5g-coverage-to-35-counties/