Airtel rolls out 4G service to catch up with rivals

Mr Prasanta Das Sarma, Airtel Kenya chief executive officer, during a past product promotion. FILE photo | nmg 

By BRIAN NGUGI

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Summary

• Airtel’s 4G service will initially be available in Nairobi and Mombasa followed by a rollout to other towns, Airtel Kenya announced on Wednesday.
• The firm is giving a promotional double data offer to all customers who have 4G handsets and 4G SIM cards subscribing to its monthly data bundles.
• Safaricom and Telkom Kenya launched the high speed 4G service in December 2014 and June last year respectively.

Airtel Kenya has launched fourth-generation (4G) Internet services in the country, stepping up the battle for customers in the telecommunications market.

Safaricom

and Telkom Kenya launched the high speed 4G service in December 2014 and June last year respectively.

Airtel’s 4G service will initially be available in Nairobi and Mombasa followed by a rollout to other towns, Airtel Kenya announced on Wednesday.

Chief executive Prasanta Das Sarma said the launch will improve customer’s Internet experience as well as mobile phone services.

“Airtel is committed to continuously innovate and improve the quality of its products and services for a delightful customer experience,” said Mr Sarma.

“We believe we have launched our 4G service at the most opportune time especially now that many customers have access to more 4G enabled handsets and devices.”

READ: Airtel pays Sh2.5bn licence fee for full 4G Internet rollout

To drive uptake for the high speed broadband service, Airtel is giving a promotional double data offer to all customers who have 4G handsets and 4G SIM cards subscribing to its monthly data bundles.

Airtel customers who upgrade their SIM to 4G will also get a free 2GB bonus, the operator said.

Customers can upgrade their SIM cards to 4G or get a 4G SIM card free of charge from any Airtel shop.

Telecoms operators have been betting on huge investments in their data networks seeking to capitalise on fast expanding mobile Internet use in the country to boost growth and grow income.

Airtel paid $25 million (Sh2.53 billion) licence fee for the high-speed 4G Internet spectrum early this year.