Kenya expects to spend some US$500 million to connect 4G network to the country’s 47 counties by March next year.
Set to be the first in East Africa, the 4G LTE networks will give Kenyans quick download speeds five times faster than 3G. It will in addition support video streaming, live conference and advanced data uptake.
Kenya currently has 3G networks with Safaricom leading by a countrywide spread. Other networks such as Airtel and Orange have also rolled theirs out. Yu mobile has the least market share in the 3G space.
Kenya’s ministry of information and communications personal secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo Ndemo said he expects the project to be complete before the country’s general elections slated for March 2013.
Ndemo said the project is to be rolled out in two phases. The first would involve 4G connection to the country’s 47 counties and the second to the mobile phone base stations and data suppliers.
Kenya’s data market is growing and analysts say it might offset the impact of falling revenues from voice calls due to price wars and the disputed lowering of mobile termination rates.
Kenya’s mobile network operators have already signed the agreement and are waiting for the government’s move. This will give Kenyans access to the fastest Internet in the region, according to Ndemo.
CCK estimates indicate there are more than 28 million Kenyans with mobile phones, a majority of them using the phones to access the Internet. The uptake of 4G would therefore mean increased use of mobile devices including tablets and iPads, as well as increased demand for the local content.
iLabAfrica’s operations director Emmanuel Kweyu commented that the 4G networks would propel improved education and innovations in the country.
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore hinted on the company’s plans to increase its data service segment after withdrawing its unlimited Internet bundles, which according to the company were prone to abuse.
Collymore said this while releasing the company’s annual results last month.
