Kenya Pipeline Company launches fiber optic cable and enters internet business
April 10th 2022
The demand for high-speed connectivity continues to grow in Kenya and across Africa. Companies operating in other sectors such as energy and electricity make their infrastructure available to operators seeking resources to meet demand.
Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Kenya’s state-owned pipeline company, launched its fiber optic cable on Thursday (April 7th), entering the Kenyan internet market. The new infrastructure will link the port of Mombasa to Kisumu and Eldoret in western Kenya via Nairobi.
KPC deployed its new cable inside its pipelines, reducing the risk of vandalism and destruction. The cable will be leased to customers for $22 per kilometer per fiber, with a one-time fee of $200 per site. 5% of the total rental price will be charged for maintenance.
The launch of KPC’s fiber optic cable follows the company’s acquisition of a Tier 2 license from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in 2018, to deploy communications infrastructure with guaranteed regional coverage. It comes a week after the state-owned telecommunications company, Telkom Kenya, unveiled the Pakistan and East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) maritime cable in Mombasa.
The new fiber optic infrastructure is expected to enable Kenya Pipeline Company to help improve high-speed internet connectivity in Kenya as demand continues to grow. By launching its fiber optic cable, the company guarantees itself new sources of income. Joe Mucheru, Minister of ICT, said KPC’s entry into the fiber optic cable business is profitable and will improve the accessibility of internet services in the country. “ We cannot have too much optical fiber in the country, and therefore this collaboration is very positive, as it contributes to the growth of the country ,” he said.
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