Must Read:Airtel Kenya:Leading the 5G Charge

• Airtel Kenya: Leading the 5G Charge;

The telco provider has constantly and effectively expanded its network coverage, driving 5G adoption, and ensuring affordable connectivity for all Kenyans

Kenya’s telecommunications industry is undergoing rapid growth, driven by an increasing demand for data services and a thriving mobile ecosystem.

The adoption of emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning is reshaping consumer behaviour, compelling telecom providers to continuously innovate.

Airtel Kenya, under the leadership of its CEO and Managing Director Ashish Malhotra, has emerged as a key player in this dynamic telco environment.

Malhotra emphasizes the company’s role in this transformation indicating that they are seeing more Kenyans taking up their products and services, and are committed to meeting their expectations by expanding their network coverage and offering the latest in technology.

Airtel Kenya has strategically positioned itself to cater to the rising smartphone penetration, which has spurred demand for affordable, reliable data services.

Platforms for short-form content and social media are now dominant channels for communication and entertainment, prompting telecom companies to adapt quickly to these trends.

Airtel Kenya is expanding its network aggressively to meet this demand, with particular focus on improving coverage in urban areas and enhancing the customer experience.

“We are continually investing in expanding and improving our network capacity to ensure that customers, regardless of where they are, experience uninterrupted service.” Malhotra points out.

Currently, Airtel serves over 19.3 million customers, capturing a market share of 29%. The company’s commitment to providing high-quality service has been a key factor in this growth, coupled with its relentless efforts to expand coverage and infrastructure.

Business Growth and Key Investments

Airtel Kenya’s growth is a result of both strategic planning and customer-centered decision-making. The company has made significant financial investments in its network infrastructure, drawing from both operational profits and loans secured from financial institutions. “Network expansion is the right thing to do,” Malhotra explains. “Our customers need reliable connectivity, and that drives our investment decisions.”

Perhaps, a key focus for Airtel has been its 5G expansion. The telco is carefully managing the transition between 4G and 5G, balancing the demands of its current 4G user base while preparing for the future with 5G.

This year, Airtel has launched over 600 new network sites, bringing the total to 4000 4G-enabled sites across Kenya. Additionally, the company is expanding its 5G network, which now includes over 690 operational sites.

This aggressive expansion reflects Airtel’s commitment to improving network access across the country. The investment in both 4G and 5G is part of Airtel’s long-term strategy to stay competitive in a market increasingly defined by the demand for high-speed data services.

“All our network sites are 4G enabled,” Malhotra explains, adding that the company is closely monitoring traffic and device trends to ensure that its 5G expansion is aligned with market demand. This methodical approach allows Airtel to optimize its resources, deploying 5G infrastructure in regions where it is needed most.

To make 5G accessible to a broader audience, Airtel Kenya has introduced home 5G unlimited data packages. Recognizing that 5G device costs remain prohibitive for many Kenyans, the company offers free 5G routers to customers subscribing to its unlimited data plans, starting at KES 3500 for 10 Mbps.

This pricing strategy is reflective of Airtel’s broader approach to affordability. “We’re constantly listening to our customers and innovating to deliver highly affordable products,” says Malhotra.

“With 5G, we’re committed to ensuring that this technology is within reach for a wide segment of the population.”

The company’s pricing structure for its 5G services is designed to cater to various customer segments while maintaining affordability. The home 5G unlimited data plans are available in tiers: 10 Mbps for KES 3500, 20 Mbps for KES 5000, and 30 Mbps for KES 6500.

Despite the high costs associated with 5G technology, Airtel remains committed to offering competitive prices to attract more users to its network. Malhotra highlights, “We understand that our customers expect value, and we’re focused on ensuring that they get the best experience at the most affordable prices.”

Airtel Kenya is also enhancing the 4G user experience by increasing network capacity and ensuring that coverage is reliable across the country. The company’s expansion plans are driven by customer feedback and traffic patterns, enabling them to prioritize regions with the greatest demand.

As 5G adoption increases, Airtel will continue to maintain and expand its 4G services to ensure that customers who are not yet ready for 5G still enjoy a seamless and high-quality network experience.

Data & Voice

Both data and voice services continue to perform well for Airtel Kenya, although the data segment is experiencing faster growth. The rise in smartphone penetration has increased per-subscriber data consumption, making data services a key driver of business growth.

“While voice services are still important, we’re seeing data become an even bigger contributor to our overall growth.” Malhotra notes.

Initiatives like the “GB kwa GB” free data campaign, which gives new smartphone users 1 GB of free data every week, underscore Airtel’s commitment to driving data adoption and ensuring its services remain accessible to all Kenyans.

This offer is available for all customers who join Airtel Network with a new smartphone and existing Airtel customers upgrading from a feature phone to a smartphone.

Data Privacy

Airtel is also acutely aware of the challenges surrounding data privacy, which is becoming increasingly important in the telecommunications sector.

Malhotra states, “Data privacy is a top priority for us.We adhere to all regulatory frameworks to ensure that our customers’ information is secure.” Airtel is committed to aligning its practices with the latest guidelines from regulatory bodies to safeguard customer data.

Looking to the future, Airtel Kenya is well-positioned to continue leading the country’s digital transformation.

Malhotra is optimistic about the role Airtel will play: “The advent of 5G, AI, and machine learning is changing how consumers use technology, and we are determined to keep up with these trends to empower Kenyans in this new digital age.”

Through strategic investments in technology and an unwavering focus on customer needs, Airtel is poised to remain at the forefront of Kenya’s evolving telecommunications landscape.