Airtel Kenya has paid $65 million (approximately KSh 8.4 billion) to acquire 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500 MHz band, securing usage rights for 25 years as it expands its fifth-generation (5G) network and strengthens its position in Kenya’s mobile broadband market.
Airtel Africa said its Kenyan subsidiary acquired the spectrum following approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), subject to standard conditions. The allocation provides additional network capacity as Airtel competes with Safaricom in Kenya’s growing high-speed connectivity market.
The 3500 MHz frequency range, commonly known as the C-band, is widely used for commercial 5G deployments because of its ability to support high-speed mobile broadband and increased network capacity. The additional spectrum will enable Airtel to support data-intensive applications, expand mobile broadband services and improve network performance.
The investment comes as Kenya’s 5G market continues to grow. Communications Authority statistics show that 5G subscriptions increased to 2.1 million in June 2026, up from 1.2 million a year earlier, representing 75% annual growth.
Data consumption has also increased, with average monthly usage among 5G subscribers reaching 64.4GB in the quarter ended June 2026, compared with 15.8GB for 4G and 8.3GB for 3G subscriptions.
The spectrum acquisition follows Airtel Kenya’s announcement of a separate 25-year operating licence in August 2026, providing the company with a longer regulatory planning horizon for its operations.
Beyond mobile connectivity, Airtel is expanding its broadband presence through Airtel Xstream Fibre and fixed wireless access services, targeting residential and business customers.
The latest investment strengthens Airtel’s position in Kenya’s telecommunications market as operators compete to expand 5G infrastructure, accommodate rising data consumption and capture growing demand for broadband services.
