In December last year, Safaricom revamped its 5G WiFi for Business bundles to provide SMEs with faster, more reliable connectivity that supports their growing digital needs, such as real-time collaboration, seamless online transactions, and remote operations.
Just three months later, consumers on Safaricom’s 5G WiFi for Business internet are reporting steady business growth due to the ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and increased network capacity compared to their 4G experiences.
“As an AI-heavy data centre running various teams each with diverse applications over various integrations in need of high-speed data collection and quick responses, Safaricom 5G WiFi for Business has enabled us to optimize performance and make quick responses around the clock,” said Mark Kamau, the firm’s CEO. “Our process requires high data speeds and superior network reliability, which only Safaricom 5G WiFi for Business guarantees.”
Kamau adds that Safaricom 5G WiFi for Business delivers lightning-fast internet speeds and, with just a router, is quick to deploy and steady for their business operations, heavy data application use, and real-time daily communications.
Safaricom 5G WiFi for Business has enhanced his firm’s efficiency due to faster access to more information, a robust network capacity which promises low latency, reliability and increased operational productivity and mobility.
“We didn’t need much to get connected. This simple router has delivered to us what other companies are paying several thousand shillings monthly to achieve,” Kamua added. “With a plug-and-play router, we had the freedom of setting up shop and getting to work quickly instead of waiting for technicians.”
According to Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC, “Safaricom remains committed in leading Kenya’s Digital transformation through provision of a worry free, always on ubiquitous network enabling access to information, critical services and communication therefore bridging the digital divide. We believe that the benefits of 5G will be a key catalyst in leapfrogging other innovations, industries as well as Kenya’s digital economy.”
Dr. Ndegwa is right. Safaricom 5G WiFi for Business is transforming enterprise connectivity in Kenya, giving customers an efficient, reliable, and affordable network to serve their customers and stay ahead of the competition.
Safaricom has deployed 5G network sites across various cities in Kenya. By August 2024, Safaricom had crossed the 1,000 network sites mark in all 47 counties in Kenya, growing the 5G footprint to 14% of the population in Kenya.
With 1,114 5G sites covering 102 towns across the country, more individuals, businesses, and homes are now experiencing the benefits of high-speed internet without waiting for fibre internet.
In addition to the growing network, Safaricom now has over 11,000 enterprise customers on 5G and has seen growth in the number of active 5G smartphones to over 780,000, demonstrating the increasing adoption of this transformative Wi-Fi technology.
Some of the customers include estate mini-marts, wholesalers, coffee shops, law firms Norda Industries, Pathcare, Optiven Group, Naivas, Bidco, KCB Group among others.
SafaricomBusiness 5G fixed wireless internet services has Bronze, Silver and Gold internet packages at KES 4,000, 5,000 and 10,000 respectively. The ultra-high-speed internet solution tailored for businesses seeking enhanced connectivity, reliability, and mobility. It’s designed for micro, small, medium, and large enterprises to meet their growing data demands between 50Mbps to 250Mbps.
OLD SPEEDS NEW SPEEDS PRICE (KES) Data Cap
BRONZE 10 Mbps 50 Mbps 4,000 1.5 TB
SILVER 20 Mbps 100 Mbps 5,000 2.0 TB
GOLD 50 Mbps 250 Mbps 10,000 4.0 TB
Apart from these Bronze to Gold packages, Safaricom 5G for Business has two dedicated packages namely Dedicated Internet (DIA) and DIA Uptime Plus. DIA or Guaranteed Uptime is a premium, high-speed dedicated internet service with built-in back-up for a guaranteed uptime, ensuring always-on connectivity. It’s ideal for businesses requiring uninterrupted, reliable, and scalable internet for critical operations, including SMEs and large enterprises.
Dedicated Internet offers customized plans ranging from 50 Mbps to over 1 Gbps, tailored to meet specific business needs plus dedicated capacity to ensure enhanced performance, reduced latency, minimized packet loss, and congestion-free connectivity. The package comes with temporary bandwidth boosts to allow businesses to exceed their base bandwidth during peak demands at no additional cost. The Data Cap of 1.5TB, 2.0 TB and 4.0TB for 5G 50 Mbps, 5G 100 Mbps, 5G 250 Mbps respectively have the capability of supporting multiple business premises use cases.
DIA includes failover options via 5G, wireless, or alternative fiber, ensuring uninterrupted operations during primary connection interruptions and backup assurance during outages.
On the other hand, Uptime PLUS is a high-speed dedicated internet service with built-in back-up for a guaranteed uptime, combined with add-ons of advanced networking that includes LAN (Local Area Network) for secure office networking and/or WAN (Wide Area Network) for seamless inter-branch communication.
Uptime Plus is perfect for medium-sized and large enterprises that need uninterrupted internet connectivity and reliable internal and external network infrastructure. These high-speed dedicated Internet delivers reliable, high-speed internet tailored to your business needs, with built-in backup options via 5G, wireless, or alternative fiber to ensure consistent connectivity and minimize downtime during primary connection outages.
Apart from LAN connection, it allows WAN for Seamless Inter-Branch communication between multiple branches with seamless data transfer and centralised operations like CRM, ERP, and cloud-based systems for a unified business network with scalable speeds from 50 Mbps to over 1 Gbps, tailored to meet business needs.
Available via USSD *485#, website: https://business.safaricom.co.ke/products/businessfibre or Safaricom Shops and dealer outlets enterprises can manage their 5G for Business link via *485#, which allows them to check link balance, monitor connection status and update link details.
Businesses can upgrade or downgrade their package by submitting a request through a sales agent or in writing. Once processed, they will receive confirmation of the service change. Safaricom plans to introduce self-service capabilities for package adjustments in the future but Static IP is available to support your business needs in major towns across all 47 Counties. Safaricom has also discounted the price of its router to KSHS.2,999(75% Discount).
The average consumption of the internet is becoming explosive each year with growth in video consumption especially on mobile devices. Unlike 4G which was popularly used for video streaming, ride sharing, food delivery and online education, 5G is set to expand the online experience further due to IoT, Virtual Reality, Enterprise Apps as well as AI and robotics.
A recent QUALCOMM 5G Economy study found that 5G’s full economic effect will likely be realized across the globe by 2035—enabling up to $13.1 trillion worth of goods and services. The 5G value chain (including OEMs, operators, content creators, app developers, and consumers) could support up to 22.8 million jobs with emerging and new applications coming up.
With its rapid deployment across Kenya, the 5G WiFi network offers enterprises the ability to operate more efficiently in a digitally connected environment and participate in the global digital economy. Good for areas without fiber to the premise, Safaricom’s 5G for Businesses will enhance productivity, streamline operations, and integrate new technologies with ease as the network has a massive capacity and provides a more uniform user experience to more users.
How Businesses in Kenya are Leveraging Safaricom 5G
Some of the industries set to benefit from Safaricom’s 5G for Business include banks and fintechs for faster transactions, real-time data processing, and enhanced cybersecurity measures and the healthcare industry for telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and AI-powered health solutions. Safaricom 5G for Business is also good for smart factories and industrial automation to reduce downtime and operational costs especially with use of Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize processes, track assets, and enhance productivity.
Safaricom’s 5G for Business is also shaping real-time shopping and personalized marketing strategies and is great for remote work and remote learning via video conferencing, cloud computing, and collaboration for distributed teams. Safaricom’s 5G for Business penetration is fuelling the much needed growth of AI, blockchain, and IoT adoption representing a revolutionary shift in enterprise connectivity hence innovation, automation, and digital transformation.
