Kenya Power Company, the major power distributor in the country, is set to provide fiber optic internet to Kenyan homes.
The company will deliver fiber optics to homes using its vast network of infrastructure that it already relies on to supply electricity. According to the company's CEO, Ben Chumo, no underground cables will be used in the project as is the norm with other internet service providers. Kenya Power's fiber optics will run along the overhead electricity cables.
The entry of Kenya Power Company into the internet market heralds a new dawn. It promises to lower the costs of connectivity and widen the scope. Of course, Kenya power has what it takes to open up the market.
Less than 50,000 Kenyans are currently connected to fiber optic internet. The cost of connection is also outrageous to say the least. Kenya power's entry offers a glimmer of hope that even the lower income earners in the society might start enjoying cheap, fast and reliable internet connections.
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Safaricom Ltd and Wananchi online (through ZUKU ) currently control more than 40% of fiber optic connections to homes. Kenya Power started laying fiber optic cables along its electricity cables over five years ago. But the cables were entirely for it's own use. However it has been leasing extra capacity to other service providers. Now it intends to fully commercialize this capacity. Already, it has formed a new subsidiary called Kenya Power international Limited which will be in charge of the fiber optics business.
