Update: 5G mobile data packages have been announced by the telco. Keep reading…
Back in September 2022, Safaricom commercially launched 5G services. 5G networks can offer download speeds that are up to 100 times faster than 4G networks, with some estimates suggesting speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This means you can download and upload large files much faster than before – but remember, these are only theoretical speeds.
Now, the telco and Huawei have announced a partnership to launch three 5G experiential centers in Nairobi. These centres are at Safaricom’s Village Market, The Hub, and Buruburu Shops.
READ MORE: SAFARICOM 5G COVERAGE
At the 5G experience centres, customers will experience virtual reality gaming zones, showcases of smart-capabilities for homes and enterprises, and speed-testing booths.
The teclo has installed more than 200 5G locations in 11 counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Vihiga, and Siaya.
Safaricom also offers 5G to Home services. However, you need to buy a router, which costs KES 25,000, but you can receive it for free if you choose a 36-month contract with Safaricom, based on the terms and conditions of the contract and credit vetting.
You’ll also need to pay a one-time installation cost of KES 5,000, which includes the router’s delivery and setup, as well as the SIM card’s provision and registration for use in the 5G router. The total cost is KES 30,000.
| Package | Price (KES) | Speed (Mbps) | Fair Usage Volume (GB) | Additional Info |
| Basic | 3,500 | 10 | 300 | Suitable for light browsing and social media usage |
| Standard | 6,000 | 40 | 500 | Ideal for streaming videos, online gaming, and moderate business usage |
| Extra | 15,000 | 100 | 1,000 | Recommended for heavy data usage, large file downloads/uploads, and businesses with high data needs |
Safaricom is yet to announce 5G packages for mobile users. The telco had said that these offers would go up before the end of 2022, but this has not been met yet.
Update: 5G data packages are here, so you might want to check them out. Here is a summary of the allocated units and their price:
| Package | Price in KES | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 1000 | 15 GB | 30 Days |
| 2000 | 2000 | 35 GB | 30 Days |
| 3000 | 3000 | 65 GB | 30 Days |
| 5000 | 5000 | 100 GB | 30 Days |
| 10000 | 10000 | 200 GB | 30 Days |
Safaricom gives us a whole detailed story of 10x speeds this that…but end up throttling to 10Mbs at 3500/- a month. Such a same.
There’s absolutely no need for mobile users to demand or even subscribe to 5G packages in Kenya. Saf doesn’t have millimetre wave 5G, which is actually better than 4G. The current offering (C-band/mid-band) is no better than 4G, especially when more people start using it and it becomes congested. 4g+ can already hit 100Mbps (when not congested). The C-band 5G in the market is basically a marketing fluff. Unless Saf launches mmWave network… Which again will require people to be in direct sight of a booster to reap its benefits
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