Safaricom has announced significant upgrades to its home and business internet offerings, introducing new speed tiers across its fibre packages, including an ultra-fast 1000Mbps Platinum plan.
This move positions the telecom giant at the forefront of Kenya’s internet service provision, as it strives to meet the demands of a growing customer base that requires higher speeds for advanced online activities, such as gaming, content creation, and virtual reality applications.
The revamped packages, announced on Monday, come as part of Safaricom’s response to the increasing demand for faster and more reliable internet among both individual and enterprise clients. For the highest tier, the Platinum plan offers speeds of 1000Mbps at a monthly cost of KES 20,000, making Safaricom the first operator in the country to offer Giga speeds for home use. This plan is tailored for heavy users who need ultra-fast connectivity for high-definition video streaming in 4K and 8K, large file transfers, or running bandwidth-intensive applications.
“We have enhanced our Home Internet speeds to cater to the increased demand and usage by offering reliable connectivity and enhanced value for our customers,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, in a statement.
Current Safaricom fibre customers will automatically be upgraded to the enhanced speed tiers, ensuring that they benefit from improved service without having to change their existing plans.
Under the new pricing structure, Safaricom’s revised plans will be segmented into five categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Platinum. The entry-level Bronze plan will now offer 15Mbps for KES 2,999, up from 10Mbps, while the Silver plan sees an increase to 30Mbps from 20Mbps for KES 4,100. Higher-end users will benefit from the Gold plan, which doubles speeds to 80Mbps for KES 6,299, and the Diamond plan, which now offers 500Mbps, a significant leap from the previous 100Mbps, priced at KES 12,499.
Safaricom is also enhancing the customer experience by introducing a Family Share plan, which integrates mobile voice, data, SMS, and home internet into a single, convenient package. The Family Share plan allows up to five users to access shared resources across their devices, offering a seamless experience for household members. In a further enticement, the Bronze plan is available at a 20% discount for customers who opt for the bundled voice, data, and fibre package, helping consumers save on their connectivity costs amid the current economic climate.
However, Safaricom’s aggressive push into the high-speed internet market comes amid rising competition, particularly from satellite internet provider Starlink, which entered the Kenyan market earlier in the year. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, offers speeds of up to 200Mbps for a monthly fee of KES 6,500, with a more affordable 50GB data package for KES 1,300. It also introduced a rental option for customers unable to purchase its kit outright, priced at KES 45,000, opening the door to more price-sensitive customers. Starlink’s satellite-based service provides coverage in remote areas, making it an attractive option for customers outside of Safaricom’s fibre footprint.
In response to the Starlink competition, Safaricom filed a request with the Communications Authority (CA) on July 15, asking the regulator to block independent satellite internet providers with operations in other countries. The CA has thus far supported Safaricom’s position, citing the operator’s valid concerns about regulatory compliance and the need for a level playing field in the telecommunications sector.
