I just got an update that Airtel Kenya is rolling out an additional 100 5G sites across the country before the end of the year. This is massive in terms of the scale of the expansion of their 5G network that comes on the back of Safaricom also announcing this week that they have expanded their 5G network to 35 counties, reduced their 5G wireless router prices by 60% and at the same time rolled out significantly more affordable 5G data bundles. Clearly, we are seeing the start of a 5G battle royale between Airtel and Safaricom on all fronts for this nascent market in Kenya.

Airtel Kenya’s 5G expansion plans are clearly a move to enhance internet connectivity for their customers throughout Kenya at scale by offering them high speed, low latency, and seamless connections of made possible by their 5G network. The planned expansion of Airtel Kenya’s 5G network will increase from 180 wards to 221 wards and, from 15 counties to 32 counties, just a shade less than Safaicom’s coverage even though they joined the party only in July 2023.

After the planned rollout by the end of 2023, Airtel Kenya’s 5G network will have coverage in Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Machakos, Kisumu, Kilifi, Kajiado, Kwale, Kakamega, Bomet, Embu, Homabay, Kericho, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Busia, Garissa, Migori, Bungoma, Muranga, Kisii, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Nyamira, Nyeri, Siaya and Nyandarua. This is impressive in that we can expect 5G in Kenya to become more or less a mainstream thing as early as 2024 and it becomes increasingly ubiquitous for users across the spectrum.

On 6th July 2023, Airtel Kenya launched its 5G network in Kenya rolling out 372 sites then, and committed to further expanding its 5G footprint across the country. As the number of subscribers with access to 5G devices continues to grow as more affordable offerings come to market, Airtel Kenya is poised to capture more market share in this regard.

Indeed, Airtel Kenya has rolled 5G data packages that start from as little Kes. 2,999 per month for 10GB a day for home users. In addition, Airtel Kenya has 5G business packages like the 5G Unlimited 10Mbps for Kes. 3,500, 5G Unlimited 30Mbps for Kes. 5,500 and 5G Unlimited 50Mbps from Kes. 7,500 per month, respectively.