Safaricom has implemented significant changes to its 4G Home Wi-Fi product. Originally introduced to provide fixed wireless connections to areas lacking coverage by Safaricom’s Home Fibre, the 4G Home Wi-Fi debuted in 2019 with the goal of extending fixed wireless connectivity beyond the reach of their Home Fibre service. However, this product faced low adoption rates due to limited awareness among consumers and perceived high costs.
To address these challenges, Safaricom has revamped the product, now rebranded as 4G Wi-Fi for home and business use. The company has also adjusted its pricing and packaging structure to offer better value to customers, with these changes taking effect from March 2023.
Under the new pricing model, Safaricom has shifted from speed-based to volume-based packages for both existing and new products. The revised packages feature reduced data volumes to enhance profitability, and certain minimum speed guarantees, known as Guaranteed Bit Rate, have been removed.
Previously, pricing comprised four package tiers with varying speeds, data volumes, and costs. The highest-priced package, offering unlimited data at 5 Mbps speed, was priced at KES 5,799, while the cheapest package, providing 200 GB volume at 3 Mbps speed, was available for KES 3,699.
In the updated pricing structure, Safaricom offers two fixed wireless access product options, both with 5 Mbps speed. Customers can choose a package priced at KES 3,000 for a 90 GB volume or opt for a 200 GB volume package priced at KES 6,300. Router prices remain unchanged, with the Adrian router priced at KES 10,000 and the Huawei model at KES 11,000.
Furthermore, Safaricom has merged its Fixed Wireless offerings for Home and Enterprise environments to streamline the 4G/Fixed LTE proposition. Customers will use the same products, with differences in their specific customer experiences.
Safaricom’s enhancements to its 4G Wi-Fi product demonstrate progress in addressing concerns that hindered its adoption. The new pricing strategy offers improved value, and customers may find volume-focused offerings more appealing than speed-focused ones. These changes, combined with Safaricom’s extensive coverage, make 4G Wi-Fi an attractive option for clients in areas where Safaricom’s Home Fibre is not available.
This is not appealing at all.