•Currently,there are 690 sites covering 39 counties across 285 wards with Nairobi having the most sites,773.
•Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have recorded doubled network expansion in the period under review.
Image: HANDOUT
Airtel Kenya has launched the first phase of its network expansion in various regions across the country with a target to reach 1000 sites by the close of the year.
The drive will see the telco expand its 4G and 5G networks across the country having set up 480 sites already.
The 5G Network, which was launched on 6th July 2023, started off with 372 sites in 16 counties across 180 wards.
In the period between July 2023 and June 2024,5G footprint across the country has doubled more so in regions with low network access like the North Eastern.
Currently, there are 690 sites covering 39 counties across 285 wards with Nairobi having the most sites.
Other counties with successful network expansion are Turkana, Mandera, Kiambu, Meru, Kilifi,Nakuru, Kisumu, Narok, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Bomet, Nyamira and Nandi among others.
Regions that have shown a consistent positive trajectory with regards to expansion are Garissa, Wajir and Mandera where the pick up was slow but has doubled in the period under review.
Notably, the provider has also launched a 5G Home wireless router as part of its network expansion plan with enough affordability to be a staple in Kenyan homes.
The router, is targeting to reach up to 1,000,000 home owners by the end of the year.
Consequently, the router comes with a backup battery so as to maintain normal system functions even during power outages.
This functionality makes it a pioneer to its competitors who do not offer backup systems for routers.
The device, which is currently available at all Airtel shops countrywide, is priced at Sh2,999 which is a discount from its original Sh10,000.
A comparison of routers from other network providers shows Safaricom with Sh3499,Zuku’s router is Sh2899 while Faiba retails at Sh5000.
Airtel’s Managing Director Ashish Malhotra said that the aim of the network expansion was to broaden the outreach to all citizens of the country regardless of the region.
“Currently,Airtel network covers 89 per cent of the Kenyan population and is committed to expand its network infrastructure to achieve 94 per cent coverage by the end of 2024,”Malhotra said.
In addition, Airtel’s Network Director Hussein Versi, further reiterated the need for a diverse network which is accessible as well as affordable for all.
Airtel Africa has been at the forefront of digital transformation within its operations with projects such as telesonic,a subsidiary for managing its terrestrial fibre,launched in February 2024.
Another project was Nxtra,a company managing five hyper scale data centres across Africa.