Safaricom Set To Become The First To Launch 5G Network In The Region

A giant telecommunications company in Kenya, Safaricom PLC is set to be the first in the region to launch the fifth-generational network (5G) within the year 2020.

In an article published in the Business Daily newspaper, Safaricom’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph said that trials for the network in Kenya are now complete and that the rollout is on the way.

“We will launch probably in select cities,” Michael Joseph told the paper. Safaricom is likely to kick off with Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru, though this has not been communicated officially.

In December 2015, Safaricom led other peers in launching the 4G network that has been instrumental in propelling its services in voice calls and data bundle products. According to the Communications Authority (CA), Kenya has about 52 million mobile subscribers with Safaricom enjoying the lion’s share.

Customers who will want to enjoy the 5G network once it is set up will have to change their devices for compatibility.

Advantages of 5G network

The 5G network means much higher data rates. This will mean that consumers will have an opportunity to download content and other materials much faster.

The 5G network will mean much lower latency. This means consumers will experience less to no delay while requesting data from the network.

The 5G network will also mean increased capacity as the network will expand and able to handle more tasks without a downtown.

A service that has put Safaricom on the global map

You cannot talk about Safaricom PLC without mentioning M-Pesa. The product has revolutionized the financial sector, not only in Kenya but now globally too through M-Pesa Global. Kenyans are now able to send and receive cash more easily than ever before.

According to the MasterCard Foundation, Kenya has always been leading other countries in achieving financial inclusion due to the establishment of mobile money platforms with M-Pesa carrying the day.

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