4G networks roll-out in Kenya

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• People, Love Technology.
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• 4G download speed is 10 times faster than that of 3G network. This means you can download songs, videos and documents in fractions of a second. No more buffering while watching YouTube videos and live-streaming of full movie becomes the norm instead of a privilege.

• Most smartphones and tablets currently in production come with front-camera. With 4G Network, video chatting becomes easier and faster. This will save you the trouble of typing when you are chatting on your phone.

Now in some developed Countries we have 5G in its initial stages of testing. Several European nations like South Korea and Singapore have invested heavily in the 5G networks development, that will totally revolutionize the internet connectivity. One is able to transmit large volumes of data using a much higher frequency band than conventional ones, which would eventually allow users to send massive data files at much faster speeds through their mobile devices.

Internet Speeds in some Asian & European countries

Some several African countries like Ghana, Tanzania & Zimbabwe are on 4G network at the moment. This has enabled video chatting capabilities with most newer smartphones having a front camera o facilitate this. Faster file-sharing, uploads and downloads speeds are greatly improved compared to the 3G network. There is also the gaming capabilities where several users can game at the same time without the usual lags of 3G connectivity.

In Kenya the telecoms are still testing this service before rolling out. Under a public private partnership the service launch is encountering several problems with the private sector blaming the Government for the hick-ups & delays in the roll-out.

current telecoms data graph


For the past few months, we have seen different telecommunication companies invest in laying cables in most parts of the ,major cities in readiness for the high speed connections but have since gone numb on the way forward.

On the other hand internet coverage in most populated estate like East lands and Thika road areas are yet to take up the service due to unavailability of coverage or pricing barriers.


Workers laying underground fiber optic cables

Do we have too many personal interests in the telecoms industry that its hindering our growth? Can we keep up with countries like SA who are on 4G with better speeds on their internet? Do we have proper & updated legislation to govern the telecoms that easily decide for the rest what is going to happen & at what cost?

Some people are of the opinion that the delay is a well organized trick by the major telecoms in order to maximize profits since slower speeds translate to high bandwidth wastage & high revenues for them. 

We hope we will not be in this wait for another year while the developed Countries embrace the 5G networks.

Technology evolution so far. What lays ahead must be mind blowing to think off.