Telkom to invest Sh1Bn on 3G, 4G network upgrade

Telkom will invest an estimated Sh1 billion into the expansion and optimization of its 4G and 3G network, with the network roll-out expected to improve mobile connectivity to its customers.

“This will deliver a value-compelling alternative to Kenyan consumers, which can only be achieved through the evolution of our network to become a stronger and future fit Telco. The strategic support from our shareholders and other partners is giving impetus to our data network expansion strategy,” said the Telco’s Chief executive Mugo Kibati.

The firm has also said it is investing on its Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) Network, which is set to improve the quality of service offered to enterprise and corporate customers. The focus will include investments into access, core, transmission and IT components; infrastructure that is crucial to further improving network reliability and accessibility.

Telkom’s network expansion agenda includes a pilot with Loon LLC, a sister company to Google and a subsidiary of Alphabet, to launch an innovative 4G/LTE access network service in the country, through the use of high altitude balloons acting as floating cell towers, giving network coverage to un-served and under-served areas, around the Mount Kenya region, including: Thika, Nakuru, Nyeri and Nanyuki. This is expected within the first half of the year, 2019.  

Data from the Communications Authority for the quarter ending September 30, 2018, shows the country’s mobile subscriptions currently stand at 46.6 million – a growth of 2.4 per cent, when compared to 45.5 million subscriptions recorded as at June 30, 2018, earning the country a 100.1 mobile penetration rate.

Communications Authority (CA) and other Telcos is also putting up base stations to boost network connectivity across the country, expected to bring in about 300,000 Kenyans to the country’s communication grid.

Communications Authority (CA), Telcos are putting up base stations to boost network connectivity across the country, expected to bring in about 300,000 Kenyans to the country’s communication grid.

The CA awarded Telkom the construction of 14 GSM sites to cover 28 sub-locations in 9 counties, under the auspices of the Universal Service Fund – USF, that is tasked to finance national projects that have significant impact on the availability and accessibility of ICTs in rural and remote areas. Of the 14 GSM sites, 12 are already on air, increasing traffic, with 2 sites in progress.

Kenya’s current mobile penetration is above the 100 percent mark; attributable to most users owning more than one SIM card from different service providers.