Safaricom Plans Flexible Pay-As-You-Go Internet for Kenyan Homes
Safaricom is preparing to roll out a pay-as-you-go fibre broadband service for homes and offices in Kenya, marking a major shift from traditional monthly billing to more flexible and affordable internet pricing.
The new model is designed to allow customers to purchase home internet in smaller, time-based bundles, similar to mobile data plans, making fixed broadband more accessible to households with irregular income patterns.
Addressing the Limits of Monthly Broadband Billing
Safaricom says the initiative responds to challenges faced by many households that struggle to commit to standard monthly broadband subscriptions, which often fail to align with their usage needs.
By introducing daily, weekly, and monthly fibre internet plans, the telecoms operator aims to replicate the success of its mobile data pricing strategy within the fixed broadband market.
Safaricom Targets Major Expansion of Fixed Broadband Market
The company’s long-term goal is to triple the size of Kenya’s fixed broadband market over the next five years. Currently, Safaricom serves between 400,000 and 500,000 fibre customers, a sharp contrast to its more than 50 million mobile subscribers. The operator is now targeting growth from about 400,000 connected homes to four million, signalling an aggressive expansion strategy.
New Director Appointed to Drive Fixed Broadband Growth
To execute this plan, Safaricom has appointed Sylvia Anampiu as Director of Fixed Business, effective January 5.
Anampiu will lead strategy, growth, and profitability across Safaricom’s fixed broadband segment, covering both home and enterprise connectivity. Her mandate includes developing pricing models that reduce entry barriers for households outside high-income areas.
Bundling Connectivity With ICT and Cloud Services
Beyond home internet, Anampiu will also strengthen Safaricom’s push to bundle fixed connectivity with ICT, cloud, and IoT services for small and medium-sized businesses, an area the company considers underserved.
She joins Safaricom from Bayobab Kenya, part of MTN Group, where she served as managing director and led fibre network expansion. Her previous roles include leadership positions at Airtel Africa, Orange Kenya, and Bayer East Africa.
CEO: Fixed Internet Can Mirror Mobile Data Success
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company wants to transform fixed broadband the same way it disrupted mobile data pricing.
“We have just over 400,000 customers on fixed broadband today, in a market that is only serving about 1.2 million. At a country level, the opportunity is closer to four million,” Ndegwa said, noting that roughly three million households remain unconnected.
Fixed Broadband Expected to Grow 50% Annually
Safaricom expects its fixed broadband segment to grow by as much as 50% annually, driven by a mix of fibre connections, 5G fixed wireless access, and more affordable customer devices.
In addition to prepaid fibre, the operator plans to introduce tokenised Wi-Fi access in the second half of its financial year, allowing customers to purchase internet access without long-term commitments.
Fixed and Enterprise Services Central to Growth Strategy
Ndegwa emphasised that fixed broadband and enterprise services are central to delivering a high-quality internet experience, rather than simply launching new products.
The initiative aligns with Safaricom’s broader strategy to deepen integration across its consumer, enterprise, and public sector services, positioning fixed connectivity as a key pillar of the company’s next growth phase.
