Safaricom has launched a wireless connectivity network dubbed Home 5G WI-FI.
The telco has also developed various proposals regarding how customers can use the service, which is said to be ten times quicker than 4G, awaiting official commercial rollout.
The 5G network is slightly similar to home fibre only that home fibre serves those who are already in fibre areas. This covers a sizable portion of Nairobi and Central Kenya, as well as neighbouring cities including Nyeri, Kisumu, Kisii, and Mombasa. However, Home 5G Wi-Fi targets users who wish to utilize the product while not having access to Home Fibre.
The other difference is based on the name: Home 5G Wi-Fi utilizes Safaricom’s 5G network, which, as was previously said, is currently not widely available. In any case, clients who have already received service may purchase a router and a bundle of their choice to use the product.
Notably, the home 5G WI-FI will not only target residential homes but businesses as well providing speeds of up to 100mbps.
Read: Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa Hints At Possible Retrenchments In Case Business Slows Down
Pricing
You must first buy a router costing approximately Ksh25,000, however upon signing a 36-month agreement with Safaricom, you can access it for free. This will depend on credit approval and the contract’s terms and conditions.
A one-time setup fee of Ksh5,000 will also be needed, which will cover the cost of the router’s delivery and configuration as well as the provision and registration of the SIM card that will be used in your 5G router. The cumulative price now amounts to Ksh30,000. You will then select a plan based on your needs moving forward.
Packages
The packages have a validity of 30 days which will not be carried over to the following month if not fully used up at the said period. If you use up the bundle before the allotted 30 days, you can buy another bundle and keep browsing at full speed. You can still browse, although at slower rates, till the end of the month.
- Basic Price (Ksh3,500) speed in Mbps (10) Fair usage Volume in GB(300)
- Standard (Ksh6,000) Speed in Mbps (40) Fair usage volume in GB (500)
- Extra Price (Ksh15,000)Speed in Mbps (100) Fair usage volume in GB 1000
Connectivity
In order to connect to this product, you will need a 5G smartphone. iOS devices are currently unable to connect to the network in Kenya. However, users of the Samsung Galaxy S22 series can enjoy the service due to its updated version that makes it possible to connect to Safaricom 5G. Both the OPPO Reno8 5G and the Flip3 from 2021 can also connect to Safaricom 5G including all other 5G devices
“5G is the first mobile technology that can react faster than humans. Has been used with good success in smart cars, and could brake faster than a human can,” Morten Bangsgaard Chief Technology Officer stated.
Read: How To Keep Your Safaricom Number Active For 2 Years Without Recharging
Safaricom CEO peter Ndegwa said that as of March last year, they had 15 sites when they did the trials, and today at the launch they have 35 sites live, with more coming.
