Safaricom PLC will this year launch Kenya’s first fifth-generation (5G) mobile internet services targeting major urban centres, making it the first operator to provide commercial and superfast services in the region.
Acting CEO Michael Joseph said the telecommunication company had finished installations and trials for the upgraded network as they aim to capitalize on the increasing mobile Internet use in the Kenya.
Safaricom remains the largest telecommunication company in the country that has enjoyed the growth in web data revenue over the past five years to Sh38 billion, surpassing sales growth from voice and messaging business.
The 5G service is a central to the firm’s attempts to expand its data business more to counter slowed growth in voice calls revenue.
Safaricom subscribers who want to use the will need new handsets that are compatible with 5g network before they can join and enjoy the superfast internet.
The launch of 5G internet will follow the December 2015 unveiling of the 4G network, which has helped the company grow its data revenues from Sh9.3 billion in 2014 to Sh38.7 billion in 2019.
