Michael Joseph and Bob Collymore
Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, is poised to extend its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network footprint this week, with the deployment of 200 new base transceiver stations (BTS). The development was disclosed to Capital FM by ICT cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Safaricom switched on its LTE network in December 2014 in Nairobi and Mombasa. In November 2014 Safaricom signed a KES14.9 billion (USD157.1 million) deal with the government to construct a national security and surveillance system, and was offered the chance to buy 4G radio spectrum as part of the agreement. The company paid USD75 million for the spectrum and is obliged to roll out 4G services countrywide within 36 months.
