NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 21 – The uptake of 4G and 5G broadband services has risen in Kenya as demand for fast internet services through streaming of movies, online learning, and remote working, among others, rises.
The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) Q2 Sector Statistics Report shows that adoption of 5G rose by 83,907 to 1.01 million in December last year, up from 926,382 in September 2024.
In the review period, 4G usage expanded by 3.6 million to 34.78 million.
“Further, the increase in smartphone penetration coupled with increased need for online activities such as streaming movies, online learning, remote work among others accelerated demand for high-speed internet leading to increased uptake of mobile broadband especially 4G and 5G,” the CA report wrote.
The uptake came at a time when local telcos such as Safaricom, among others, have embraced 5G networks, allowing clients to download and stream videos as well as play video at neck-breaking speeds.
In 2023, Safaricom increased its 5G coverage to 28 towns across 21 counties, allowing customers to enjoy ultra-fast Internet services.
The rise in 4G and 5G uptake coincided with the drop in the use of 3G and 2G networks that are super slow.
3G usage, for instance, fell by 167,358 to 7.6 million, while 2G declined by 1.1 million to 12.71 million.
