Airtel Launches Fibre Services, Challenging Established Players

Airtel Africa has officially entered Kenya’s fixed broadband market with the launch of its fibre-based internet services for both homes and businesses. This strategic move expands Airtel’s offerings beyond mobile money and positions it to compete in a growing sector.

The new service includes Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fibre-to-the-Business (FTTB) connections, with pricing tiers ranging from $15.48 (Ksh 1,999) for 15 Mbps to $38.71 (Ksh 4,999) for 100 Mbps.

Market Context and Competition

Airtel’s entry adds another dimension to Kenya’s competitive fixed broadband landscape, which already includes major players like Safaricom Home Fibre, Faiba, Zuku, Poa Internet, Mawingu Networks, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies. Safaricom currently leads with 815,037 subscribers (35.6% market share).

The timing of this launch follows earlier announcements from September 2023 when Airtel revealed its intention to enter the home fibre segment as part of a $150 million investment in digital infrastructure.

Amazon Seeks Operating License

Adding another layer to Kenya’s internet ecosystem, Amazon has formally applied for an operating license through its local subsidiary, Amazon Kuiper Kenya Limited. This move signals the company’s intent to compete in the satellite internet space alongside Starlink.

With plans to deploy over 3,200 satellites globally by 2028, Amazon aims to provide broadband access even in remote areas—a potential game-changer for digital inclusion across Africa.

Growth Drivers and Infrastructure Development

The surge in interest from major players reflects the significant growth in Kenya’s internet market. Fixed fibre-optic subscriptions have increased by 373% between 2019 and 2025, reaching 1.27 million connections.

This expansion is supported by ongoing infrastructure development initiatives, including nearly 8,000 km of additional fibre laid down recently as part of a government target to reach 100,000 km by 2027.