Safaricom ups Internet speed in the city

By Macharia Kamau

Safaricom subscribers in prime sections of Nairobi will beginning next week access the Internet at higher speeds following a system upgrade on the mobile operator’s network.

The move is expected to intensify competition in the already highly competitive Internet service provision segment among mobile operators.

Recently, Airtel Kenya launched a 3.75-generation (3.75G) network, which it markets as the fastest in terms of data speeds in comparison to the 3G networks that it rivals are running.

Telkom Kenya on the other hand introduced what it markets as competitively priced package that allows subscribers access to Internet as well as text messages and voice calls within its network for Sh10 a day. The latter product is targeted at the youth market.

Data belt

On Tuesday, Safaricom said it would double speeds to 42 megabits per second (Mbps) in some sections of Nairobi that it considers as prime in terms of data consumption. It previously increased the speeds in these areas to 21Mbps.

Provision of data services has been deemed as the next major thing for mobile operators with dwindling fortunes from the voice market, which, however, still plays a key role and accounts for over 60 per cent of revenues to operators.

Safaricom Chief Executive Bob Collymore said initial rollout will involve subscribers in the firm’s Data Belt within the Central Business District, Kileleshwa, Kilimani and Westlands areas.

The Data Belt forms an area that has high Internet usage.

"We are moving to ‘democratise’ the Internet and bring it to as many Kenyans as possible. With the launch of this upgrade that allows for faster speeds, we are demonstrating true leadership in this quest," said Collymore.

He said the move was a direct response to consumer concerns.

Users will, however, have to bear the cost of new modems supporting the higher speeds. Collymore said the modems could be made available in the market in the coming days.

CCK data shows that 14.3 million Kenyans had Internet access in the period to September 2011, up from 8.6 million in September 2010 pushing Internet penetration to 36.3 per cent from 22.1 per cent.

Of the 14.3 million users, 5.3 million access the net using cell phones. Safaricom controls a major chunk of this market, with a share of 88 per cent.

Information age

"That 14 million of the 40 million Kenyans have Internet access attests to the fact that we are embracing the information age. Yet this is only 34 per cent of the population. It is critical that this number increases," said Collymore.