Safaricom is set for the long-awaited technical trials of its fourth generation (4G) services this month according to outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Michael Joseph.
At the same time, Joseph said Safaricom – Kenya’s leading mobile network – had plans to use the analogue frequencies left idle with the shift to digital television transmission in 2015 to operate its 4G technology.
Joseph said there are a number of spectrum options for them to operate on, but feels the analogue frequencies give the operator more leeway to roll out commercially.
“With 4G there are a number of spectrums you can operate from. The one we see as most viable for us will be that of analogue TV broadcast that is to be shut down,” Joseph said.
Safaricom announced back in March that it was interested in rolling out the technology but has not yet received spectrum on which to roll out the service commercially.
The 4G service allows users to browse up to 10 times faster than on the 3G platform, and can accommodate downloads of streaming video, allowing faster file downloads and super-fast web browsing.
Safaricom is the only operator currently operating the 3G technology in Kenya with rivals Zain Kenya set to roll out by the end of the year.
Telkom Kenya has however said that Kenya is not ready for 4G technology as the country lacked the relevant spectrum and equipment.
“We are not there yet because there are no devices but I don’t see why anybody should say we are not ready because Kenya is always ready like we proved with 3G. The reason why we are looking at testing 4G is because it is a natural technology growth from 3G,” he added.
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