The government has welcomed the increased investment by the private sector in the rollout of technology infrastructure across the country and pledged continued support for the stakeholders.
Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo, speaking on Thursday during the launch of the highly anticipated cutting-edge Airtel 5G network, stated that the move is a major milestone in the growth of Kenya’s mobile telephone and data services.
Owalo said that the 5G network is opening up limitless opportunities and possibilities on the internet for Kenya’s tech-savvy population, which comprises mostly the youth, and other segments of the Kenyan economy which depend on internet connectivity.
“Airtel’s additional investment is going to have a positive impact on a wide range of industries and services in Kenya by constructively impacting on smart industries and industrial automation, education, health, transportation, robotics, artificial intelligence, as well as age computing and machine learning,” Owalo remarked.
“This initiative is very much in tandem with our digital master plan and is well aligned with the digital transformation agenda that we are pursuing as a government, and we are aware that the digital superhighway is a standard and thematic area in our overall policy framework, which is anchored on the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” he voiced.
Owalo further stated, “As a government, all that remains on our part based on the mandate that has been bestowed upon us as a ministry is to ensure that we commend this great effort by the private sector and continuously stand with the operation of the environment to monitor the trends and emerging issues, reach out to you people through a participatory approach so that we integrate your views, and put in place an enabling policy.”
Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra emphasized the company’s dedication to enabling seamless connectivity, as evidenced by the unveiling of the 5G network with over 370 active 5G sites strategically positioned in 16 counties and 180 wards nationwide.
“Today marks a significant milestone as we proudly introduce our 5G network, a state-of-the-art infrastructure that provides data speeds up to ten times faster than 4G, incredibly low latency, and the ability to seamlessly connect billions of devices,” Malhotra commented.
He also added that aligned with Airtel’s commitment to providing affordable services, the company is pleased to offer 5G home broadband for enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), unlimited packages for as low as Sh.3, 500 per month, and packages include 5G unlimited 10 Mbps at Sh.3, 500, 5G unlimited 30 Mbps at Sh.5, 500 and 5G unlimited 50 Mbps at Sh.7, 500 pet month respectively.
Currently, Airtel Kenya’s network infrastructure spans over 3,200 sites, providing coverage to 88% of all 47 counties, and positions Airtel at the forefront of the technological revolution, which will create opportunities to further unlock Kenya’s potential.
By Susan Gichanja and Daisy Masinde
