Kenya - Mobile broadband

Kenya: Safaricom Extends Broadband Internet Service to Mombasa

Residents of Mombasa will enjoy broadband internet access after mobile phone firm, Safaricom, extended its services to the coastal town.

Customers have the option of accessing the internet through 3G enabled devices that range from data cards, broadband modems and phones.

The broadband modem slots into a laptop or desktop and allows the user to surf the web and access e-mails at their convenience.

Safaricom's move will increase competition in the sector coming a few days after rival company, Celtel, launched its own internet service.

The service targets busy professionals looking to be productive while on the move and business owners among others.

Safaricom has invested a total of Sh1.9 billion ($30 million) in license fees and infrastructure development to launch the internet venture.

Limited network

Mr Michael Joseph, Safaricom's chief executive officer, said the service will eliminate perennial challenges of limited network infrastructure and expensive internet access alternatives.

"The technology will enable us offer our subscribers within the current coverage a wider range of data and voice services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency," he said.

The broadband service, which was initially available only in Nairobi, will now be rolled out to other major urban centres countrywide before the end of the year.

Where the service is not available, the Safaricom modem will automatically access Safaricom's EDGE/GPRS network, which is available throughout the country. A range of pricing packages is available for both pre-paid and post-paid data bundles.

Safaricom is the first company in Kenya and the second in east Africa to offer the high speed service after Vodacom's Tanzania launch last year.