Airtel Set to Introduce Home Fiber Internet in Kenya
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Airtel Kenya has confirmed its plans to launch Home Fiber Internet, entering a market dominated by Safaricom PLC, Zuku (Wananchi Group), and Jamii Telecommunications Ltd (Faiba). The move positions Airtel as a new competitor in Kenya’s broadband space, where demand for fast, reliable connectivity continues to grow.
Airtel’s Entry into the Fiber Market
The Kenyan broadband market is among the most active in East Africa, fueled by a rising middle class, remote work adoption, online education, and increased video streaming.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), internet penetration stood at 48% in 2025, with 27.4 million internet users and fixed broadband subscriptions expanding steadily.
Despite this growth, demand for stable, high-speed internet still outpaces supply, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. Safaricom has built a wide fiber network and bundled packages, while Zuku and Faiba compete strongly on pricing and reliable service.
With Airtel’s entry into the fiber market, competition is expected to increase, potentially driving improvements in affordability, service quality, and innovation.
The Airtel 5G Smart Connect Device: Bridging to Fiber
As Airtel prepares to roll out fiber services, it is strengthening its broadband offering through the Airtel 5G Smart Connect device. This router supports 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G, making it suitable for Kenya’s mixed connectivity environment.
Its upgraded antenna technology enhances indoor coverage, solving common issues like weak signals in multi-story buildings and densely built areas.
The device can connect up to 32 devices at once and includes a 5-hour battery backup, an important feature in a country where power interruptions are frequent. By offering uninterrupted internet, the Smart Connect device provides a strong interim solution before the fiber network is fully deployed, keeping Airtel competitive in the home internet space.
Tatu City Data Center: A Cornerstone of Airtel Internet
The introduction of Airtel Home Fiber Internet is closely linked to the construction of the Tatu City data center, which will be East Africa’s largest data center. The project, situated within the 3,000-acre Tatu City development near Nairobi, is being developed through Airtel and its partners.
The Airtel Tatu City data center will serve as critical infrastructure for the fiber rollout, enabling high-capacity, low-latency connectivity. Beyond supporting home internet, the facility will also cater to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing needs.
This investment not only backs Airtel’s fiber ambitions but also strengthens Kenya’s role as a regional digital hub.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
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