Airtel spends Sh2.5bn on high-speed Internet upgrade

Corporate News

A Safaricom agent carries out an M-Pesa transaction. Photo/FILE 

By LYNET IGANDWAH

Airtel Kenya has spent Sh2.5 billion on upgrade of its network across the country to boost its 3G high-speed Internet access as it takes on market leader Safaricom, which is already rolling out 4G connectivity.

Increased proliferation of smartphones has raised demand for data services, providing a new growth avenue for the telcos.

Airtel is upgrading its Internet network to improve indoor coverage penetration and data quality for 3G Internet users.

The upgrade has been finalised for sites in Mombasa and Kitale, with works in Nairobi nearing completion.

“We have invested Sh2.5 billion in the project which will increase the reach and coverage of Airtel’s 3G network, enabling our customers take full advantage of what Airtel has to offer,” said Airtel Kenya managing director Adil El Youssefi in Nairobi on Thursday.

Airtel is partnering with mobile broadband Nokia Networks in the upgrade project that would see customers enjoy the recently launched bundled tariff dubbed #UnlimiNet.

Following the upgrade, customers will also be better placed to take advantage of other data services such as free Twitter on Airtel Internet, Internet.org- free Internet powered by Airtel and Facebook.

Mr Youssefi said that the upgrade also makes Airtel Kenya’s network 4G LTE ready.

In November last year, Airtel Africa launched 4G in Seychelles and Rwanda, making the two countries among the first in sub-Sahara Africa to commercially deploy the 4G network technology.