Airtel Kenya has paid $25 million (about Sh2.53 billion) licence fee for high-speed 4G Internet spectrum, paving the way for full roll-out of its mobile broadband services.
Kenya’s second-largest telco by market share paid the amount early last month, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) confirmed in a statement Wednesday.
"Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd has paid the 4G LTE 800 MHz licence fee of $25 million," said the CA in a statement.
The loss-making company, owned by India’s Bharti Airtel, becomes the second telco after market leader Safaricom to pay the fee.
Telkom Kenya, 40 percent controlled by the State, is still operating on a trial permit, which expired last September, but successfully sought for a six-month extension.
"Telkom Kenya is yet to pay the fees since it is still undertaking the trial until end of March 2018," the CA said.
Jamii Telecom, the newest entrant into mobile broadband space, is also operating on a 4G trial licence which expires in June.
"We are in the process of (officially) rolling out 4G and we expect to officially launch soon. We are driving towards the fastest speeds at the most affordable rates in Kenyan market with Airtel 4G," Airtel said in a statement as quoted by Business Daily.
"Customers with 4G-enabled phones together with 4G SIM cards are now able to experience our 4G network in various parts of Nairobi."