Safaricom yesterday launched 4G in Kenya which will mean quicker uploads and downloads for those using the new network. To take advantage of faster speeds on the Safaricom 4G network on mobile, customers will have to buy 4G compatible smartphones.
Martin Gicheru, owner and editor of Kenyan tech blog techweez.com, tried out the new 4G network on his Lumia 930 in Village Market and got speeds of between 60Mbps to 70Mbps. He used it in Westlands and got 21Mbps (see screenshot below. For original Tweet click HERE).
Note that the areas that currently have 4G are Nairobi (Gigiri, Runda, Buruburu, Lower Kabete and Parklands) and Mombasa (Mombasa Island and Changamwe). Also, to enjoy 4G on a 4G compatible smartphone one will have to buy a new Safaricom 4G SIM card as below
Smartphones that are 4G compliant and are available in Kenya include the iPhone 6, Lumia 830 and the Huawei Ascend P7. Curiously no Samsung smartphone in the Kenyan market currently is 4G ready.
Here is a full list of 4G ready smartphones available in Kenya and their prices.
1. Samsung Galaxy S5 – Ksh. 58,999
2. Lumia 625 – Ksh 16,250
3. Lumia 1320 – Ksh. 26,500
4. Lumia 830 – Ksh. 39,500
5. Lumia 1020 – Ksh. 46,500
6. Lumia 1520 – Ksh. 49,000
7. Lumia 930 – Ksh. 51,500
8. Huawei P7 – Ksh. 45,999
9. iPhone 6 – 64GB Ksh. 92,999 and 16GB Ksh. 82,999
10. iPhone 6 Plus – 64GB 103,999
11. Lumia 820
12. Lumia 920
Note: Existing owners of the 820, the 920 and other Lumia devices can upgrade to 4G by going to settings then cellular +SIM then SIM applications and finally highest connection speed (see screenshot).
