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Airtel Kenya has paid US$65 million (about KSh8.4 billion) for 100MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band, securing it for 25 years to expand its 5G network, Airtel Africa said. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) approved the allocation subject to standard conditions, TechTrendsKE reported on October 31, 2026.
What Airtel Kenya bought
- Band: 3500MHz (3.5GHz), often called the C-band, one of the main bands used for 5G worldwide.
- Amount: 100MHz of bandwidth.
- Term: 25 years.
- Price: US$65 million, about KSh8.4 billion.
The 3.5GHz band balances capacity and coverage, which makes it useful in busy urban areas where data traffic is heaviest.
Why Airtel Kenya 5G needs more capacity
5G users in Kenya consume far more data than other subscribers. CA statistics for the quarter to June 2026, as reported by TechTrendsKE, show:
| Network | Average monthly data per subscription |
|---|---|
| 5G | 64.4GB |
| 4G | 15.8GB |
| 3G | 8.3GB |
5G subscriptions rose to 2.1 million in June 2026 from 1.2 million a year earlier, a 75% increase. Kenya had 52.26 million smartphone connections and 54.93 million mobile broadband subscriptions.
Competition with Safaricom
Safaricom launched commercial 5G in October 2022 and Airtel followed in 2023. Safaricom held 64.4% of the mobile broadband market and 69.8% of all mobile subscriptions in June 2026, according to CA figures. More spectrum gives Airtel room to add capacity and push fixed wireless home internet over 5G, which Airtel Africa has named part of its home broadband strategy. Airtel also sells Xstream Fibre home packages from KSh1,999 a month for 15Mbps.
Licences settled
The purchase follows Airtel’s new 25-year operating licence, announced in August 2026 after a long dispute over permits dating back to its original licence expiring in 2015. Safaricom has also secured a new 25-year operating licence.
Spectrum pricing remains contested: Jamii Telecommunications is challenging the CA’s 2025 change to charging by the amount of spectrum held rather than by number of transmitters, and Safaricom has been allowed to join that case.
What it means for customers
For users, more spectrum should mean faster, more reliable 5G speeds in areas Airtel covers, especially at peak times. Check whether your phone supports 5G and whether your area is covered; our guide to 5G coverage areas and compatible phones covers Safaricom, and Airtel’s current bundles are in Airtel Kenya data plans.
What 5G spectrum is and why the band matters
Spectrum is the range of radio frequencies that mobile operators use to carry calls and data. In Kenya, the Communications Authority assigns it and charges licence fees. The more bandwidth an operator holds in a band, the more traffic its network can carry at the same time. A 100MHz block in the 3.5GHz band is the standard size many operators around the world use for full-speed 5G, because a wide block lets each base station serve many users without slowing down.
Lower bands such as 700MHz and 800MHz travel further and get through walls better, which makes them good for rural coverage. Higher bands such as 3.5GHz carry much more data but over shorter distances. That is why 5G rollouts usually start in cities, estates and business districts before reaching smaller towns.
How to check if you can use Airtel 5G
- Phone: your handset must support 5G and the n78 band (3.5GHz). Look in the phone’s specifications or network settings.
- SIM: older SIM cards may need replacing. Ask at an Airtel shop.
- Coverage: 5G is available mainly in major towns. Check Airtel’s coverage map or customer care before buying a 5G phone for that reason alone.
- Bundles: 5G uses the same data bundles as 4G. Because it is faster, you may use data more quickly, especially when streaming video.
FAQ
How much did Airtel Kenya pay for 5G spectrum?
US$65 million, about KSh8.4 billion, for 100MHz in the 3500MHz band.
How long is Airtel’s 5G spectrum licence?
25 years.
How many 5G users are there in Kenya?
About 2.1 million 5G subscriptions as of June 2026, according to CA data.
Updated October 31, 2026.
Related: Airtel Africa half-year profit rises 20.5% to $452m on data and mobile money growth
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