Airtel Kenya buys 5G spectrum for $65 million to boost network capacity
Airtel Kenya has acquired 100MHz in the 3.5GHz band for about KSh 8.4 billion after the Communications Authority approved the deal. The rights run for 25 years, Pulse Live Kenya reports.
Airtel Africa has confirmed that its Kenyan subsidiary bought 100MHz of spectrum in the 3,500MHz band, Pulse Live Kenya reported. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) approved the purchase. The deal cost $65 million, about KSh 8.4 billion. It gives Airtel the right to use the frequencies for 25 years, subject to the regulator's conditions. This is not a new 5G launch. Airtel Kenya launched 5G commercially on July 6, 2023. The new spectrum adds capacity to that network and leaves room for growth. The 3.5GHz band, known as the C-band, is widely used for commercial 5G. The GSMA lists it as one of the main ranges for early 5G networks worldwide. Airtel has also announced a separate 25-year renewal of its general operating licence in Kenya. Pulse Live Kenya notes that this licence is different from the 25-year rights tied to the new spectrum. Demand for 5G is growing fast, but from a small base. CA data shows Kenya had 2,103,217 mobile-data subscriptions on 5G by…
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