- Kenya’s Safaricom has launched 5G Wi-fi, more than a year after it announced it was conducting trials for the world’s fastest network
- Safaricom said 5G network was now available to its customers, who would benefit from super-fast internet at home and work
- The availability of the network would empower customers in 5G-ready areas with fast and reliable internet connectivity for their homes and businesses
Safaricom has launched 5G Wi-fi in selected Kenyan towns, more than a year after it announced it was conducting trials for the world’s fastest network.
On Thursday, October 27, Safaricom said 5G network was now available to its customers, who would benefit from super-fast internet at home and work.
The fifth-generation network would also complement the telco’s growing fibre network.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the availability of the network would empower customers in 5G-ready areas with fast and reliable internet connectivity for their homes and businesses.
“We believe in the internet’s transformative power and will continue to deliver the most advanced technologies towards enabling our customers to enjoy a digital lifestyle. The launch of 5G Wi-Fi is the first step in empowering our retail and enterprise customers to start exploring new opportunities that 5G provides,” said Ndegwa.
The company also announced that customers in 5G-ready zones can access 5G Wi-Fi by purchasing a 5G router at KSh 25,000 plus a setup fee of KSh 5,000 and selecting from three packages on offer. Customers will also have the option of signing up for a 36-month contract that will enable them to receive the router for free.
The introductory 5G Wi-Fi plans include: 10Mbps with a usage limit of 300GB at KSh 3,499; 40Mbps with a usage limit of 500GB at KSh 5,999; and 100Mbps with a usage limit of 1TB at KSh 14,999. Customers will be able to continue using the internet at throttled speeds upon depletion of the allocated usage limit.
Customers using supported 5G smartphones will also be able to access the 5G network and enjoy superfast 5G speeds. Supported smartphones include 5G-enabled devices from the Samsung Galaxy S and Fold series, as well as Huawei and Oppo 5G devices.
Customers using iPhones and select 5G-capable Samsung devices will require a software update from the manufacturer to access the 5G network.
Plans are also underway to provide 5G data packages for mobile internet customers and leverage the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo device-financing solution to avail more affordable 5G smartphones.
Currently, Safaricom has 35 active 5G sites spread across Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega and Mombasa, and it plans to expand to 200 sites across the country by March 2023.
Over the years, Safaricom has consistently invested in its network, with its 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering over 99 per cent of Kenya’s population, while its fibre network has connected more than 200,000 homes to fast and reliable internet.
OPPO launches 5G smartphone in Kenya
In a related story, OPPO Kenya has announced the launch of its latest versions of the Reno series, the OPPO Reno8 5G and OPPO Reno8.
Powered by Dual Sony Flagship Sensors and several AI-enhanced imaging features such as Ultra Night Video and Night Portrait, the new “Portrait Expert” Reno8 5G is designed to enable consumers to capture their best moments even in the lowest light exposure.
Alongside its professional camera capabilities, Reno8 5G features a Streamlined Unibody Design, delivering a more refined texture and flagship-level design aesthetics.
By adopting 80W SUPERVOOCTM with Battery Health Engine, the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 SoC, an upgraded Super-Conductive VC Liquid Cooling System, and ColorOS 12.1, the new Reno8 5G provides strong durability, reliable performance, and all-round smooth experience to users.
OPPO has continued to invest in imaging technology R&D in the Reno series. Consumer insights indicate that approximately 40 per cent of photos taken with Reno smartphones are taken after 5 p.m. The percentage for videos is even higher, at nearly 50 per cent.
As a result, OPPO has upgraded the camera on the latest Reno series with an agenda to improve the shooting experience in low-light environments and allow users to record every moment of their lives in vivid detail.
Reno8 5G features Dual Sony Flagship Sensors — the IMX709 for the front camera and the IMX766 for the rear camera.
