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| Bob Collymore, Safaricom’s CEO officially launches 4GLTE | . |
Safaricom(NSE: SCOM) has
officially cemented its position as the leading mobile operator in the region
with the launch of its LTE Advanced (4G) proposition.The technology – formally known as LTE Advanced – is the
most advanced version of the 4G system formobile networks and promises to pass
on significant improvements in data speeds and latency to its customers while
maintaining superior voice quality.
Safaricom becomes the first operator in Sub Saharan Africa
to launch LTE Advanced, enabling Kenya to maintain its leadership technology
position in the region.
“Today’s launch progresses our strategic push to democratize
data. We believe in the transformative power of the internet and are keen to
deliver the most advanced technologies to our subscribers in order to remain
the network of choice,” said Bob Collymore, Safaricom’s Chief Executive
Officer.
The company will initially roll out the 4G service in
Nairobi and Mombasa, before scaling up coveragein other major towns in the
coming months.
The LTE Advanced network will offer peak speeds of up to
100Mbps, which is more than twice the speed offered on 3G technology. This
makes it possible for customers to download and upload files faster, as well as
enjoy buffer-free streaming of audio and video.
LTE Advanced also enables ‘Carrier Aggregation’, whichwill
allow Safaricom customers to benefit from increased bandwidth accessible
through the aggregation of different LTE spectrum bands.
“The direct impact of data on our economy has already been
noted through the increasing number of businesses and services offered online.
With 4G, we can deliver revolutionary services like tele-medicine,
virtualization orreal-time video that have immediate and transformational
impact on our society,” said Mr. Collymore.
Alongside its network deployment, Safaricom will offer
affordable internet enabled devices by leveraging on the relationships it has
with global phone manufacturers.
Mr. Collymore said Safaricom is keen to supply affordable
4G-enabled devices including phones, routers and modems to the market,with a
sub Ksh 9,000 phone planned for early next year.
The low cost devices will supplement the already available
iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus andHuawei P7 smartphones along with 4G modems that
shall be available in Safaricom shops and come with a free 4GB data bundle.
Safaricom already has the widest network coverage in the
country, with over 3,200 base stations, nearly half of which are 3G-enabled.
Safaricom was the first operator in Kenya to roll out mobile
data in 2003 on the 2G platform, and later the company was the first to launch
its 3G platform in 2008.
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