When using your smartphone for online tasks, you have two primary internet connection options: cellular data and Wi-Fi. On the other hand, however, when using a laptop or desktop computer—which is the case for many of us who study or ‘work from home’—the most reasonable way to access the internet is probably through a Wi-Fi network.
But that as it may, these days, as we witness the transition from traditional wired connections to wireless solutions and the eradication of slow internet options like modems, eSIM laptops exist, which are continuing to redefine the possibilities of internet access by enabling users to connect to cellular networks with a digital SIM card on personal computers.
Well, all the same, though, a data plan on a mobile phone and a Wi-Fi network basically lets you do the same thing: use the internet wirelessly. Even so, there are significant differences between the two.
Wi-Fi vs. Mobile Data Differences
The key difference between Wi-Fi and mobile data is that Wi-Fi connects your device to the internet through a local wireless router within a limited range, while mobile data uses cell towers to provide internet access anywhere with cellular coverage. This makes mobile data more portable but potentially less reliable and slower, depending on network congestion and your location.
Generally, but in detail, we say Wi-Fi is faster than mobile data because Wi-Fi technology is specifically designed for high-speed data transfer over radio frequencies within a dedicated broadband infrastructure.
This allows for significantly higher bandwidth compared to the shared network capacity of mobile towers, which must service a much larger area with a wider range of devices, potentially causing congestion and slower speeds, especially during peak usage times.
In terms of affordability, Wi-Fi is essentially more cost-effective than mobile data, particularly if you have an unlimited or large monthly data plan. Wi-Fi plans are significantly cheaper per gigabyte than cellular data plans, which often include data caps and may incur additional charges if exceeded.
Best Wi-Fi Options in Kenya Today
As noted, Wi-Fi’s affordability and faster speeds are two good reasons to ditch your cellular connection. Here are the best Wi-Fi options you can consider in Kenya.
- Speed: Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet service that provides high-speed internet access in Kenya and other countries. It’s a project of SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.
Practically, Starlink is currently considered the fastest wireless internet option in Kenya due to its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network technology, which minimizes signal travel time and enables more efficient data transmission compared to other services on the market.
Starlink internet speeds vary based on location, time of day, and network congestion. Most users experience download speeds of over 100 Mbps, but speeds can range from 25–220 Mbps, while upload speeds typically range between 5–20 Mbps.
However, Starlink has a number of drawbacks, such as higher initial equipment costs and monthly fees compared to some traditional services in urban areas with well-established infrastructure.
Starlink offers several options for users in Kenya, including:
- Starlink Mini – A smaller dish suitable for portable use or quick setup at Ksh27,000, with plans starting from Ksh6,500 per month.
- Starlink Standard – For Ksh49,900, you can get a larger dish with a Gen 3 Wi-Fi router. It supports up to 235 devices, and monthly plans start at Ksh8,000 for 40GB of priority data.
- Starlink Enterprise – Best for power users and fixed-site business applications, costing Ksh106,999 for hardware and plans starting at Ksh8,000.
- Starlink Flat High Performance – Designed for mobility applications and challenging environments, it has a wider field of view and enhanced GPS capabilities. The full kit costs Ksh377,000 on Elon Musk’s website.
- Legacy: Safaricom Wi-Fi
“Safaricom Wi-Fi” refers to the wireless internet service provided by Safaricom, primarily through their 4G and 5G Home Internet offerings. These use cellular towers to deliver high-speed internet to your home without the need for traditional cable lines.
As Kenya’s biggest telecommunication operator, the company heavily utilizes their wide 4G and 5G network coverage to provide fast and reliable internet connections to homes and institutions countrywide.
To get connected to Safaricom’s 5G wireless internet in 2025, you can buy the Huawei H155-382 Indoor Model Safaricom 5G router, which costs Ksh10,999, or get the Nokia Gateway 2 HG 19-01W-A type for Ksh11,999.
For 4G home internet, you can purchase a 4G router and SIM card for Ksh2,999. However, the 4G service does not include unlimited plans and requires bundles for usage, with prices starting at Ksh2,999 for 140 GB per month.
Safaricom’s 5G unlimited plans in 2025 are priced based on speed and the number of users supported simultaneously.
Most Safaricom Wi-Fi plans come with a simple setup process, often just requiring you to plug in the device and connect to the network.
- Gadget: BVOT portable Wi-Fi
The BVOT portable Wi-Fi (or MiFi) device is a compact router that works over a cellular connection to provide Wi-Fi for devices like laptops, tablets, PCs, and smartphones. It supports Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom SIM cards.
A BVOT Wi-Fi’s primary advantage is its portability. It allows users to access the internet anywhere with cell service by creating a personal Wi-Fi network from an inserted SIM card.
This Wi-Fi device has received mixed reviews. Some users report reliable connectivity and fast speeds of up to 150 Mbps, distinctively when used with a Safaricom or Airtel line, and it has a long-lasting battery that can withstand 8+ hours of continuous use.
Currently priced between Ksh5,000 and Ksh8,500, the BVOT supports up to 10 connections by default, extendable to 20 via its web interface.
- Affordability: Airtel
Because the Telkom network is discouragingly slow in many areas of Kenya and Safaricom is obviously expensive with reportedly high data consumption rates, Airtel Wi-Fi has become the cheapest option for users seeking affordability and reasonable speeds in almost rural areas.
Available from just Ksh2,500, Airtel Wi-Fi routers are considered pocket-friendly and reliable because they are high-performance 4G/5G wireless network gadgets offering fast and reliable internet connectivity (150 Mbps) on the go, with a long battery duration to stay connected for extended periods without needing to recharge frequently.
The price of the Airtel 5G Smart Connect router is Ksh3,500 in Kenya, but the cost of its packages depends on the speed of the internet offered. Here are some of the plans and their prices in 2025:
- Airtel 5G Unlimited 10 Mbps for Ksh 3,500/month
- Airtel 5G Unlimited 20 Mbps for Ksh 5,000/month
- Airtel 5G Unlimited 30 Mbps for Ksh 5,500/month
- Airtel 5G Unlimited 50 Mbps for Ksh 7,500/month
The good thing is that you don’t have to purchase these unlimited plans if you are a lightweight internet user. There are several data options for both 4G and 5G Airtel Wi-Fi, like Bazuu 90 GB at Ksh2000 (3 GB/day), 4G SmartBox 40 GB for also Ksh2K, and 4G SmartBox 70 GB for Ksh3,000 per month.
- Traditional: Telkom Wi-Fi router
Telkom Internet is not the most widely available provider in Kenya, but it has some of the best 4G speeds. Ranked 3rd overall for both connection consistency and latency, according to IT News Africa, Telkom Wi-Fi is a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to fiber or cable.
Telkom uses the Huawei 4G Router 2-B311-221, which has a download speed of 150 megabits per second. This signifies a relatively fast internet connection suitable for streaming HD videos, downloading large files, and online gaming.
To support the speeds, the device has a multi-APN function, which allows users to configure multiple Access Point Names (APNs) on a single SIM card. This enables the router to use different APNs for distinct data services like regular internet access and VoIP calls.
Disappointingly, Telkom is considered ‘traditional’ or old-fashioned because it has failed to make progress in reliable internet connectivity despite having a significant market and regulatory advantage, being fully owned by the Government of Kenya.
- Gen Z: Mobile Hotspot
If you are a Gen Z, you’ll almost certainly agree that we all want an easy way out. Not, as one Kenyan politician put it, just munching at KFC and browsing X, but finding solutions to what older generations considered out-of-place tasks. Yes, we would choose a mobile hotspot over a real Wi-Fi connection.
Why spend money on a Wi-Fi gadget when you can use your cellular data to create a portable Wi-Fi network? First, which money?
For many Gen Z users, mobile hotspots offer an affordable and convenient way to create a Wi-Fi network using a phone’s cellular data. Plans like Telkom’s Freedom Friday Data (Ksh100 for 5 GB valid for three days) make hotspots a cost-effective choice.
These Wi-Fi options ensure that no matter your budget or internet needs, there’s something for everyone in Kenya.
