Safaricom takes on Starlink with aggressive 5G push in rural Kenya
- Safaricom has slashed router prices from KES 25,000 ($192) to KES 3,000 ($23) to make 5G more accessible.
- The company is targeting upcountry users with affordable, plug-and-play 5G routers bundled with flexible data plans.
- Sales teams have been actively pitching 5G routers in Western Kenya since January, with positive customer feedback.
Safaricom's proactive approach to expanding 5G services in rural areas is commendable, as it addresses the connectivity gap left by traditional ISPs and Starlink. However, the long-term sustainability of this strategy will depend on the company's ability to maintain competitive pricing and service quality in the face of increasing competition.
