Kenyan ISP AccessKenya is making the move from delivering internet services via wireless base stations to fiber connections to existing customers. AccessKenya has already embarked in the 12 month process that will see them replace the base stations with fiber cable links. This move is expected to see AccessKenya deliver over 80% more capacity with figures of 1 Gigabit up from the max of 200 Mbps they currently provided.
According to Cyril Oluoch, AccessKenya Group Manager, the upgrade is part of a larger plan to shore up internet connectivity over vast regions hence delivering Wide Area Network (WAN) solutions which has beeb on the increase among the corporates. The upgrade will also impact on costs with increased profit margins as a result of reduced licensing which will go down 50%. Licensing alone cost AccessKenya over 37 million shillings last year. AccessKenya has so far converted about 20 base stations in Kasarani, Lavington and Lower Kabete to fiber optic links, this will also go out to other towns like Kisumu and Mombasa and other major towns.
AccessKenya enters new markets via Wireless networks which are easier to deploy but in the long run, are tough on the balance sheet.
