- Telkom Kenya has connected nine more counties to its countrywide Mobile 4G/LTE Network
- The technology company said it had completed the Coast and Lower Eastern phase of its network expansion plans
- Telkom Kenya has added Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Taita/Taveta, and Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, and Kajiado Counties to its Mobile 4G/LTE Network
Telkom Kenya has connected nine more counties to its countrywide Mobile 4G/LTE Network, The Exchange Africa has learned.
On Tuesday, June 12, 2022, the technology company said it had completed the Coast and Lower Eastern phase of its network expansion plans.
The company said it has added Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Taita/Taveta, and Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, and Kajiado Counties to its Mobile 4G/LTE Network. As such, the firm has erected an additional 224 4G sites in the area.
According to the telco, the expansion is part of plans that Telkom Kenya, along with its partners, Ericsson, and systems integrator NEC XON, announced in November 2021.
At the time, the firm said it would add 2,000 4G sites onto Telkom’s Mobile 4G/LTE Network by 2023.
The nationwide rollout, which will cost an estimated $100 million, is part of Telkom’s long-term network expansion strategy that addresses digital transformation and lays the groundwork for the company’s long-term goal to become the technology partner of choice for customers in Kenya and the region.
Telkom Kenya’s CEO, Mugo Kibati, noted that digital transformation is fundamental within the telecommunications sector, creating an increased demand for broadband, connectivity, and digital platforms by the individual consumer, corporates, and the public sector.
He added that the firm believes that mobile data is a fundamental human right and has now emerged as a daily necessity.
“We remain committed to better position our infrastructure asset base and services to drive digital transformation within our various Customer segments, thus providing them with more value, as well as bridge the digital divide through the expansion of our Mobile Data Network,” Kibati said.
He added that today’s customer also demands more competitive and comprehensive products that address their different and ever-changing needs: browsing, downloading, streaming, mobile money transactions, reading the news online, and updating their apps; actions that are now very important to everyday life.
“We remain aware of our Mobile Data network’s integral role in keeping our customers connected. We are on course with our long-term terrestrial network expansion plan, which will see us scale up to 80% of our network to 4G, increase our network footprint across the country, and get more Kenyans online.”
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In a separate story, Telkom and Buy-Now-Pay-Later company Lipa Later recently partnered to offer Kenyans a product financing solution that will make it easier to purchase smart mobile devices.
With this partnership, both companies want to make these devices more accessible to consumers through affordable monthly instalments.
The deal comes when the uptake of smartphones has continued to grow, with more people getting to appreciate the advantages of having access to the Internet in the palm of their hand.
Kibati said the partnership blends with Telkom’s vision of empowering its customers to access mobile and data services.
“Telkom is excited to announce this partnership as it speaks to our belief that access to Mobile Data is a fundamental human right. This is due to its strategic potential to address digital inclusion progressively; ensuring the benefits of the Internet and digital technologies are available to more Kenyans, consequently empowering the digital economy.”
“Coupled with the easier access to smart mobile devices through this partnership with Lipa Later, our customers will also be able to enjoy affordable Mobile Data through our products, such as the recently launched Changa Bundle, which enables Kenyans to share data, minutes, voice and SMSs,” he added.
Commenting on the same, Lipa Later CEO Eric Muli said the partnership with Telkom will enable their customers to get and stay connected by affordable mobile and data devices.
“Consumers can walk into any Telkom store, sign up with Lipa Later, get a credit limit in less than 5 minutes, pick a device of their choice at zero deposit, get connected to mobile and data services, and pay for the same in up to 12 monthly instalments.”
Through this partnership, consumers can access select phones from brands such as iPhone, Nokia, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Ulefone, Vivo, Xiaomi, Huawei, Bontel and Itel.
