Airtel Kenya has launched its Xtreme Fibre service in Nairobi to challenge Safaricom’s dominance in the fixed broadband market. This move aims to attract customers with aggressive pricing and waived installation fees.
Airtel’s rollout includes over 400 buildings connected to its Xtreme Fibre service across Nairobi and other towns. The company offers a 15 Mbps plan for KES 2,000 and a 100 Mbps plan for KES 5,000. Both residential and business users benefit from zero installation fees.
Currently, Safaricom leads the fixed internet market with a 34.9% share. Jamii Telecommunications follows with a 20.1% share, while Wananchi Group holds 11.1%. Poa Internet and Ahadi Wireless have market shares of 10.7% and 9.0%, respectively.
Airtel is focusing on multi-dwelling units to maximize connectivity within buildings. The company’s strategy relies on fibre-to-the-building technology, allowing a single connection to serve an entire apartment block.
Industry analysts believe Airtel’s competitive pricing could entice customers away from established providers. Airtel is betting that lower prices and faster installation can prise customers away from Safaricom.
Observers note that the success of Airtel’s strategy will depend on how effectively it can expand its network and maintain customer satisfaction amid rising competition in the telecom market.
