Kenyan operator Safaricom has successfully launched its latest LTE Advanced Network in Kenya. According to the operator, it will roll out the 4G services in Nairobi as well as Mombasa. The company will then scale up coverage to other major towns during the course of 2015.
According to Safaricom, the LTE Advanced Network will offer up speeds of up to 100Mbps. Alongside its network deployment, Safaricom said it will offer affordable internet-enabled devices by leveraging on the relationships it has with global manufacturers.
Safaricom CEO, Bob Collymore, stated that: “Safaricom is keen to supply affordable 4G devices such as phones, routers and modems to the market, with a sub KES 9,000 phone planned for early next year. The low cost devices will supplement the already available iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Huawei P7 smartphones, along with 4G modems available in Safaricom shops with a free 4GB data bundle.
According to Telecom Paper, Safaricom claims the widest network coverage in the country, with over 3,200 base stations, nearly half of which are 3G-enabled. Safaricom was the first operator in Kenya to roll out mobile data in 2003 on the 2G platform, and later the company was the first to launch its 3G platform in 2008. The Vodafone subsidiary is the first to launch LTE in the country, skipping the initial phase of the technology to progress directly to LTE Advanced.
Darryl Linington
