Airtel Kenya has quietly launched high-speed home fibre internet products, marking its entry into the fixed broadband market.
Internet customers can choose between paying Ksh 1,999 monthly for unlimited 5G internet access with speeds of 15Mbps or Ksh 2,999 per month for double (30Mbps) the speed.
To get connected, all a customer needs is to visit an Airtel Kenya shop or make the application by following prompts on the Airtel Kenya website. A fee of Ksh 1,000 is charged for the connection. This means you need Ksh 2,999 to cover both the connection and internet subscription for the first month.
The ground-breaking differentiator is that Airtel Kenya is offering customers a back-up battery. This means that unlike customers connected to competitors who are disconnected whenever there is an outage, with the 5G Smart Connect – Outdoor Unit, you will still enjoy internet connection for several hours powered by the back-up battery.
Affordability is Airtel Kenya’s other key differentiator with its entry-level plan being significantly lower than most existing home fibre packages. In addition, the telco is offering higher speeds as well as the support and quality of service assurance for customers.
Airtel Kenya describes the 5G Smart Connect – Outdoor Unit as having designed to offer strong and consistent indoor coverage. This coupled with the signal amplification feature “enhances signal strength to ensure stable and uninterrupted connectivity.” This is relief to some home internet customers who face unstable internet within their houses due to weak signal.
In addition, the 5G Smart Connect – Outdoor Unit is weather-resistant having been “built to perform reliably in all conditions.”
Unlike peers in the market, customers choosing the Airtel Kenya home fibre have flexible mounting options as the gadget can be installed “on walls, poles, or rooftops to suit your setup and location.”
The new home fibre internet service mainly targets households and small businesses seeking stable internet connection.
The move positions Airtel Kenya as a key competitor in a market that has been dominated by Safaricom and Zuku.
Airtel Kenya has not made a public announcement about the launch of the home fibre options, instead it has been rolling out the service quietly in selected residential areas, especially in Nairobi.
Demand for home fibre service has been increasing in recent years fuelled by remote working options, online jobs and education related demand for learners and parents to access school assignments and learning material online.
Airtel Kenya’s entry into the fixed broadband service is expected to intensify competition, potentially leading to more flexible and affordable internet options.