Safaricom Targets Smart Homes with Expanded Fibre Speeds

Safaricom has upgraded its Home Fibre service, increasing speeds by up to 2.5 times at no additional cost, in a move that highlights the growing role of fixed broadband as a core utility in Kenyan households rather than a premium service.

The upgrade applies to all Home Fibre packages, with customers retaining existing pricing. Entry-level users will now access speeds of up to 15 Mbps, mid-tier plans have been raised to 35 Mbps and 80 Mbps, while premium packages now reach up to 400 Mbps, targeting data-heavy homes and multi-user environments.

The development reflects a structural shift in internet consumption, where household connectivity is increasingly driven by multiple simultaneous demands — from remote work and online learning to streaming, gaming, and connected devices. This has increased pressure on providers to deliver consistent performance across all usage levels.

“As homes become increasingly connected, reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but an essential service for modern living,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. “By upgrading Home Fibre speeds, we are delivering greater value to our customers, strengthening our market leadership, and laying the foundation for smarter, more connected homes and communities across Kenya.”

He said the upgrade is intended to improve reliability in shared household environments, where multiple users often compete for bandwidth, making stability and sustained performance a key expectation for consumers.

Safaricom, which says it now connects more than 800,000 homes, continues to expand its fibre footprint as demand for fixed broadband rises across urban and peri-urban areas, driven by increased digital adoption in both work and leisure activities.

The upgrade also comes amid growing competition in Kenya’s fixed internet market, where providers are increasingly shifting focus from basic connectivity to performance-led offerings as home internet becomes central to digital lifestyles.

Industry trends show that broadband consumption is being reshaped by cloud services, streaming platforms, virtual meetings, and smart home technologies, all of which require higher and more stable bandwidth.

Safaricom says the enhancement is part of its long-term strategy to align home connectivity with emerging digital needs, positioning fibre internet as an essential infrastructure for Kenya’s evolving digital economy.